HISTORY
OF THE
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX,
CANADA.
From the Earliest Time to the Present ; Containing an Authentic Account
of Many Important Matters Relating to the Settlement, Progress
and General History of the County ; and Including a
Department Devoted to the Preservation of
Personal and Private Records, etc.
I LLUSTR ATED.
Toronto ;tn
W. A. & C. L. GOODSPEED, PUBLISHERS.
1889.
LONDON, ONT. :
FREE PRESS PRINTING COMPANY.
CIECTRONIC VERSION-
A AVAILABLE
. Oft - 2
PREFACE.
After over ten months of labor, this volume is respectfully tendered
to our patrons. The design of the work was more to gather and pre-
serve in attractive form, while fresh with the evidences of truth, the
enormous fund of perishing occurrence, than to abstract from insuffi-
cient data remote, doubtful or incorrect philosophical conclusions. The
true perspective of the landscape of life can only be seen from the
distance that lends enchantment to the view. So short has been the
period since the settlement of the County of Middlesex, and so numer-
ous and heterogeneous the number of important events crowded into
the toiling years, that no general attempt was made to prepare a
critical or philosophical history. It is asserted that no person is
competent to write a philosophical history of his own time ; that,
owing to imperfect and conflicting circumstantial evidence that yet
conceals, instead of reveals, the truth, he cannot take that correct,
unprejudiced, logical, luminous and comprehensive view of passing
events that will enable him to draw accurate and enduring con-
clusions. The duty, then, of an historian of his own time is to
collect, classify and preserve the material for the Macaulay of the
future. The present historian deals in fact; the future historian,
in conclusion; the work of the former is statistical; of the latter,
philosophical.
This volume has been prepared under depressing obstacles, among
which a lack of paying patronage was chief. In spite of this, the
Publishers have more than complied with their promises in the enor-
mous amount of fact crowded into the solid pages, and in nearly two
hundred pages more of matter than were promised. In addition to
this, a competent resident of the county was specially employed to
read the proofs of the book, that the number of mistakes might be
limited to the fewest. Much of the volume, in all departments, was
compiled by local writers, to whom credit is properly given.
THE PUBLISHEES.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Page.
TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY 11
Soil 11
River Thames, The 11
Other Streams 13
Geology 13
Building Stone 13
Sand and Gravel 14
Oil Wells 14
Salt Wells 14
Fire Clay 15
Trees and Shrubs — 15
CHAPTER II.
INDIAN RESIDENTS 16
Indians, The Earliest 16
Tribal History 17
Indians of 1812 21
Border Incidents 21
Missions and Churches 25
Marriages Among Indians 25
Indian Orange Lodges 27
Race Statistics 27
Trails 28
CHAPTER III.
OCCUPATION AND SETTLEMENT 29
First Settlers 29
Crown Land Entries 29
Other Settlers 30
Pioneer Mails . 33
London Vicinity in 1818 34
Wolf Story, A 35
Colored Inhabitants 36
"Old John Brown" 36
Marriage Laws 36
Pioneer Cabins.. . 39
CHAPTER IV.
ESTABLISHMENT OF CHURCHES.
Catholics, The
Enerlish Church, The
Presbyterians, The
Presbyterian Marriages
Baptist Church, The
Ministers and Marriages . .
Congregationalists, The
Marriages, etc
Methodist Church, The
Their Marriages
Bible Christians
Lutherans
Moravians
Other Religious Societies
CHAPTER V.
ORGANIZATION OF LONDON DISTRICT.
Counties, The First
Quarter Sessions Court, The
County Council, The
Early Items
County Buildings
90
Page.
House of Refuge 92
Insane Asylum , 94
Scott Act, The 95
CHAPTER VI.
POLITICS FROM 1788 TO 1888 98
Districts Formed 98
Legislative Council, The 98
Assembly, The 99
Lieutenant Govenors 100
Crown Land Grants or Concessions.. 100
Political Aspect, Rebellion of 1837. . . 102
Execution of Rebels 106
Contemporary Memoranda 107
Leaders in 1837 108
Political Status 113
Elections, etc 115
CHAPTER VII.
BENCH AND BAR, THE 118
Earliest Practitioners 118
Oldest Court Records 119
Execution of Burleigh . 120
Execution of Sovereen 121
Execution of Jones 122
Execution of Pickard 122
Execution of Simmons 123
Miscellaneous Cases 124
OtherTrials 127
Judges and Counsel 132
Present Bar 140
Early Probate Business 142
CHAPTER VIII.
MILITARY AFFAIRS 143
Simcoe's Designs 143
Surrender of Detroit 143
Battle of the Thames 144
Battle of Lake Erie 144
Skirmish at Byron 346
Affair at Battle Hill 146
Other Military Movements 148
Pensioners of the War 147
Rebellion of 1837-8, The 149
Preparations to Invade the States. . . 153
Military Organizations 153
Affairs in 1865 155
Fenian Invasion, The 155
Red River Troubles, 1869-70 158
Militia, The 160
North-west Troubles, 1885 161
Military School, The 163
CHAPTER IX.
THE NEWSPAPERS 165
Quebec Papers 165
Upper Canadian Papers 165
London District Papers 166
Modern Papers 168
Present Papers 171
Other Periodicals 174
Printers' Union, The 175
Country Publications 176
VI
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER X.
GROWTH OF SCHOOLS
English School, The First 179
Amendment of School Acts 179
Common School Svstem 180
Legal Teachers, 1842 180
Statistics 181
Superintendents 18*
Expenditures. 1?
Institutes, Origin of 186
CHAPTER XL
ROADS AND BRIDGES 187
Corduroy Roads 187
Roads Projected 188
Funds for Road Building 189
Toll Roads 180
Expenditure on County Roads 192
Early Bridges 1»4
Railroads 195
Railroad Accidents 197
CHAPTER XII.
201
SOCIETIES. POPULATION, ETC. ...
Fairs. The First zui
Fair of 1851, The 201
Fair Officers, etc 202
Provincial Exhibition, The 202
Old Grounds, The 203
Receipts 204
Western Fair Association 204
New Grounds, The 206
Farmers1 Institute 207
Stock Breeders1 Association ... 207
Fish and Game Society 207
Population 208
County Finances 211
Statistics 212
CHAPTER XIII.
LONDON Cm 213
The Forks 213
Earliest Inhabitants 214
Business, The First 216
During the " Forties " 221
Business Houses and Men. 232
Real Estate, 1852-7 224
Post-office 225
Custom House, The 226
Notable Buildings 227
Village of London Council 231
Town of London Council 233
Parks 235
Exhibition Grounds, The 237
Bridges 238
Sidewalks and Laws 239
Cemeteries, Streets, etc 240
Incorporation 242
City Officers and Laws 243
City Finances 244
Port Stanley Railroad 246
Important Transactions 247-258
Fire Department 258
Council and Fire Department 260
Conflagrations 262-268
Police Department 268
Water Supply 273
Analysis of Water 276
Victoria Disaster, The 277
Flood of 1883 "281
Street Lighting 281
Market, The Public . ' 282
Hospitals 284
Guthrie Home " 287
Schools of London 288
Page.
Collegiate Institutes 292
Hellmuth College 294
Medical College, The 29a
Law School, The 296
Art School 2j
Separate Schools 2£
English Church. The 297
Methodist Church, The 301
Methodist New Connexion Church. . . 305
Bible Christians. 309
Methodist Episcopal Church 309
Catholic Church, The 310
Presbyterian Church, The 314
Congregational Church 318
Baptist Church 319
Other Religious Bodies 321
Mechanics1 Institute 321^
Secret and Other Societies and
Clubs 322-359
Musical Organizations 360
Board of Trade 362
Chamber of Commerce 365
Travellers1 Association 367
Manufacturing Enterprises 368-380
Wholesale Houses 387
Taverns and Groceries 388
Banks and Bankers 394
Loan Companies 397
Insurance Companies 403
Miscellany 408
London East 409
Statistics 412
CHAPTER XIV.
STRATHROY 413
Residents, The First 413
Business, The First 414
Merchants and Customers 416
Charter and Officers 419
Schools 423
Fire Department 425
Fires 426
Accidents 430
Churches 430
Cemeteries 435
Societies, etc 435
Banks ..440
Railroads 440
Manufacturing Enterprises 441
CHAPTER XV.
ADELAIDE TOWNSHIP 443
Boundary 443
Population 443
Settlers, The First ... 443
Prominent Citizens 445
Official History 447
Fires and Accidents. . 448
Adelaide Village 448
Schools and Churches 449
Kerwood 453
Keyser 454
CHAPTER XVI.
BIDDULPH TOWNSHIP... .. 455
Boundary and Population 455
Pioneers, The 455
Colored Colony, The 456
Official Record 456
Granton 457
Clandeboye 458
Ireland 453
Mooresvillo 459
Adare 459
Churches 459
CONTENTS.
VII
CHAPTER XVII.
LUCAN TOWN
Old Name 461
Appearance, The First 461
Residents, The First 461
Lots,Saleof 462
Officers, etc 463
Finances 465
Schools 465
Fires 467
Accidents 467
Commerce 467
Post-office and Banks 468
Societies, Clubs, etc 468
CHAPTER XVIII.
CARADOC TOWNSHIP 471
Boundary, etc 471
Old Records 471
Land Patents, The First 471
Settlers, The First 472
Schools 473
Accidents ..473
Mt. Brydges 474
Churches 474
CHAPTER XIX.
DELAWARE TOWNSHIP 476
Situation, etc 476
Longwoods Road 476
Land Grants 476
Settlers 478
Aliens, The 477
Officers, etc 479
Incidents 480
CHAPTER XX.
DELAWARE VILLAGE, ETC
Early Appearance
482
482
483
483
Fires
Population
Kilworth 484
Woodhull Settlement, The 484
Village in 1851, The 484
Later Events 484
Churches 485
Lodges 485
CHAPTER XXI.
DORCHESTER TOWNSHIP 486
Location, etc 486
Official Record 486
Settlers, The First 487
Residents, Later 488
Putnamville 488
HarrietsviUe 489
Belmont 490
Dorchester Station 491
Nilestown 492
Avon 493
Crumlin 493
Gladstone 493
Mossley 493
CHAPTER XXII.
EKFRID TOWNSHIP 494
Survey of Crown Lands 494
Boundary, etc 494
Pioneers, The 495
Records, The Oldest 495
Officers 496
Agricultural Society 497
Page.
Accidents 497
Ekfrid Village 497
Appin 498
Melbourne 499
Middlemiss 499
Strathburn 500
Mayfair 500
Muncey 500
Christina 500
Knox Church 500
CHAPTER XXIII.
LOBO TOWNSHIP 502
Location 502
Population 502
Official History 502
Pioneers, The 504
Crown Land Entries 504
Komoka 506
Churches . . 507
Lobo Village 507
Poplar Hill 508
Coldstream . . 508
Fernhill 508
Duncrief 508
Ivan 508
Amiens 509
Siddallsville 509
CHAPTER XXIV.
LONDON TOWNSHIP 510
Situation, Streams, etc 510
Records, The Early 510
Pioneers 511
Citizens, Prominent, Early 512
Events of Note 514
Churches 515
Arva, or St. Johns 517
Hyde Park Corner 518
London West 518
Birr 520
Elginfleld 520
Denfield 521
Ilderton 521
Vanneck 521
Bryanston 521
Kingston 522
CHAPTER XXV.
McGiLLivRAY TOWNSHIP 523
Situation, Streams, etc 523
Official Matters 523
Settlers, etc 524
West McGillivray 525
Lieury 525
Corbett 525
Moray 525
Brinsley 525
McGillivray 526
Churches, etc 526
Agricultural Society 527
CHAPTER XXVI.
METCALPE TOWNSHIP 528
Location, Water Courses, etc 528
Crown Land Entries 528
Incidents 529
Settlers, The 530
Napier 530
Churches 530
Societies 531
Katesville 531
Wisbeach 532
Kilmartin 532
VIII
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXVII.
MOSA TOWNSHIP
Situation, Creeks, etc 5*5
Settlers, The First »**
Officers, etc ££
Agricultural Society 534
Churches *»
Fires Jtf
Longwood $35
Knapdale 086
Cashmere 536
CHAPTER XXVIII.
NEWBURY VILLAGE 537
Name, The First 537
Merchants, The First 537
Population 537
Incorporation, etc 6*5
Schools 538
Fires W9
Societies 539
Churches 540
Miscellany 541
CHAPTER XXIX.
WARDSVILLE 543
Earlv Appearance 543
Merchants, The First 542
Business Men, Later 543
Population, etc 543
Official Matters 543
Fires 544
Societies 545
Churches 545
Schools 546
CHAPTER XXX.
GLENCOE 548
Origin 548
Organization 548
Commerce 551
Buildings 551
Exports and Imports 553
Banks 553
Schools 553
Churches 554
Fire Department 556
Band 557
Rifle Association . . 557
Accidents 558
Societies, Clubs, etc 558
Cemetery 558
Salt Well 558
Mechanics' Institute 559
CHAPTER XXXI.
NISSOURI WEST TOWNSHIP 561
Streams, Boundary, etc 561
Survey, Land Entries, etc 561
Settlers, The 561
Records, The 563
Thorndale S63
Wyton Village .....'.... 564
Stives 564
Belton 565
Devizes. ' 555
Rebecca ;.'„" 555
CHAPTER XXXII.
WESTMINSTER TOWNSHIP . ..566
Drainage. Location, etc 566
Statistics 566
Page.
Survey, Land Sales, etc 587
Pioneers, The. • 567
Organization, Officers, etc 568
Pioneer Incidents 56*
Crown Lands Entered 570
Old Settlers Living 575
Westminster Insurance Company... 575
Churches 576
Byron 577
Lambeth 578
Hall Mills 579
Pond Mills 579
Glanworth 580
Derwent •»*
Maple Grove 581
Glendale 581
Maguire 581
Accidents 581
CHAPTER XXXIII.
LONDON SOUTH 582
Leading Residents, Some 583
Churches 582
Statistics 583
Schools 584
CHAPTER XXXIV.
EAST WILLIAMS TOWNSHIP 586
Streams, etc 586
Canada Company, The 586
Living Old Settlers 587
Organization, Officers, etc 587
Churches 588
Springbank and Vicinity 589
Falkirk 590
Nairn 590
CHAPTER XXXV.
AILSA CRAIG VILLAGE 591
Settler, The First 591
Village in 1868, The 591
Business, The Early 591
Business, Later 593
Population 592
Incorporation 593
Lodges 594
Accidents ..594
CHAPTER XXXVI.
WEST WILLIAMS TOWNSHIP 596
Water Courses, etc 596
Organization, etc 596
Settlement 598
Sylvan 598
Bornish 699
Agricultural Society 600
CHAPTER XXXVII.
PARKHILL .601
Origin, The , 601
Settlers, The First 601
Business 602
Manufactories 603
Banks 604
Organization 605
Schools 606
Fires 608
Accidents. 609
Churches 609
Societies, etc 612
CONTENTS.
IX
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Page.
GENERAL ITEMS - • 615
Herbs and Weeds 615
Zoology 616
Storms 617
Rain and Snow 618
Duration of Sunshine 619
Indian Summer 619
Archceology 620
Miscellany 630
Statistics, Early 620
Indebtedness, etc 623
Statistics, Late 628
Population 632
CHAPTER XXXIX.
GENERAL MISCELLANY 635
Public Schools 635
London South Schools 636
ArtSchool 636
Agricultural Association 637
Ailsa Craig Mechanics1 Institute 637
Spring Show 638
Scott Act Repealed 638
Sale of Fair Ground Lots 639
Assessment Roll, 1889 639
Liquor Licenses, 1889 640
Western Congregational Association 642
Railway Subsidies 642
Asylum Improvements 643
Masonic Officers 643
Amalgamation of London South 643
Law Candidates 645
Canal Comparisons 645
Imports 646
CHAPTER XL.
MISCELLANY— Continued .' 647
Board of Trade 647
Women's Christian Association 648
Knights of the Maccabees, etc 650
Piccadilly Lodge, Sons of England. . . 650
Court Defiance 650
London Lodge of Perfection 650
Local Poetry 651
Liberal Conservatives 652
London West Schools 653
Typographical Union 653
Glencoe Mechanics' Institute . 653
Strathroy Board of Trade 653
Bank Statement 653
Repeal of the Scott Act 654
Good Templars 654
CHAPTER XLI.
SUNDRY HISTORICAL NOTES 656
Early Items 656
Small Towns 656
County Postmasters 657
Westminster Township Presbyterian
Church 657
Strathroy Spring Fair, 1889 657
Glencoe Statistics, 1889 659
Glencoe Presbyterian Church 659
Caradoc Spring Show 660
Protestant Home Board 680
St. George's Church 661
Mechanics' Institute, London 661
Hospital Trust, The 662
MeviH Masonic Report 662
Strathroy Finance Report 662
k? VIS Ll< XXVl/ CL\J 0t**a>VUA*
Glencoe Spring Fair,
Independent Order o
Criminal Statistics
Court Robin Hood 665
Railway Land Subsidies 666
Church Appointments 686
Glencoe Lacrosse Club 666
Entomology 666
Old Folks Concert 667
London Cricket Club. 667
Insurance Abstract 668
Lawyers Banquet 668
Scott Act at Strathroy 668
J1889 669
er of Foresters 669
Mortuary Statistics 670
Methodists, The 670
Dairying Interests 671
Oddfellows' Annual Statement. ... 671
Public Revenue 672
Strathroy Mechanics' Institute 672
A, O. U. W 674
Base Ball Association 674
Papal Aggression 674
Presbytery of London 676
Canadian Pacific Railway 678
District Methodist Meeting 678
Loyal Orange Association 680
Sundry Notes 680
Physicians 683
Strathroy Methodists 684
West Middlesex Reform Association 685
Victoria Circle 686
Australian Population 686
Collegiate Institute Examinations,
1889 686
Scraps of Early History 688
Early Fair Premiums 691
Canadian Order of Foresters 693
CHAPTER XLII.
EXPLORATION OP CANADA 695
Norse Discoverers, The 695
English Discoverers, The 695
French Settlements 696
Explorations by the French 697
Cham plain 698
Treaties of Peace. 700
Conquest by the English 702
Canadian Government, Early 703
Changes, etc 704
War of 1812, The 705
Confederation 706
Upper Canadian Rebellion 707
BIOGRAPHY 709-1076
VIEWS, ETC.
Tecumseh, the Shawanee Chief.
aT
26-27
Marquette's Map 43-44
Roman Catholic Cathedral. 92-93
View on Richmond Street, London. . 125-126
An Old Settler 190-191
London Water-works 271-272
Pheasant Hunting 352-353
London Medical School 401-402
Hellmuth Ladies' College 451-452
A Midsummer Scene 549-550
Masonic Temple, London 663-664
Site of an Early Log Cabin 761-762
A Midwinter Scene 827-828
George T. Hiscox 858-859
By the River 909-910
HISTORY
)F THE-
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX
CHAPTEE I.
TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY.
Location and Valuation. — Middlesex County may be said to be
the central tract of the Erie and Huron Peninsula of Ontario, in lati-
tude 42° 58' 20", and longitude 81° 14' 8". In 1827, and even later,
the County extended from Lake Erie to Lake Huron, and from the line
of Zone Township to the line of Burford, — a tract now embracing the
counties of Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford, Huron, Perth, and Bruce. In
1887 the total number of acres assessed was 758,571, exclusive of the
acreage within the boundaries of incorporated towns. Including the
town property, the total assessed value of real estate amounted to
$24,853,322 ; and the equalized value of all property — real and per-
sonal— was placed at $34,223,607, being about two-thirds of the true
value of the County, exclusive of London City.
Soil. — The valley of the Thames, together with the rich alluvial flats
which extend from it northward to the north of the North Branch of Bear
Creek, and southward nearly to the shore of Lake Erie, i§ remarkable
for its great fertility and its luxuriant forest growth. The soil is
generally clay, with a covering of rich vegetable mould, and is clothed
in the natural state with oak, elm, black walnut, and white-wood trees
of large size, together with fine groves of sugar maple. Toward the
north of the Thames, and on the borders of Lake St. Clair, is an area
of natural prairie of about 30,000 acres.
The River Thames. — Among the reminiscences of the French
explorers of the 17th century, there is no distinction drawn between
the estuary of this river and the mouths of the various streams which
12 HISTORY OF THE
flow into the waters connecting Lake Huron with Lake Erie; in
fact, those children of faith in religion, in adventure, and in commerce,
were not seeking anything diminutive in nature. The great lakes and
rivers, the distant Mississippi, the far-away "Mountains of the
Setting Sun," and the savage inhabitants of the unknown lands,
formed the objects of their search, so that it is not to be wondered at
that the pioneers of a new world left to men of later days the task of
exploring the smaller rivers, lakes and mountains of the continent. In
the archives of the Minister of Marine, at Paris, may be found the
first chart of the country, now known as the Valley of the Thames.
This chart and accompanying report was made to Louis XV's
Secretary in 1744, and both were printed the same year by N. Bellin,
the report going so far as to state that the river was without a rapid
for eighty French leagues, and that for centuries it was known as
Askunesippi, or Antlered Kiver. On this report being transmitted
to Canada, the trapper, the voyageur, and the adventurer directed
some of their attention to the beautiful valley, and in 1745-6 the river
is heard of as La Tranchee. In the latter half of the 18th Century it
is called La Tranche, and on July 16, 1792, the present name — The
Thames — was conferred upon it by the official act of Governor Simcoe.
Shortly after the United States cast off the bondage of trans-atlantic
rule, Lord Edward Fitzgerald, one of the Irish Eevolutionists of 1798,
traversed this valley, accompanied by the African who saved his life after
the battle of Eutaw Springs, S. C., Sept. 8, 1781, and by a few Mohawks
under Brant. He it was who first described the Thames, and along its
banks dwelt on the cause of liberty, against which he so recently and
so gallantly fought. During the winter of 1792-3 Governor Simcoe,
Major Littlehales and Lieutenant Talbot, with four other army officers,
came up from Navy Hall at Niagara, halting en, route at the Nelles'
House, on the Grand Kiver, and at the Village of the Mohawks, where
Brant and a crowd of his Indians joined them, and whence they set
out to La Tranche, a name hidden or stolen the year before by the
chief of that very party, who now came to admire the old river under
its new name. In the early part of 1793 a surveyor named McNift"
was ordered to sound the river to the proposed town of Georgina-
upou-Thames. He reported that the erection of two locks would leave
the river a navigable one to the Upper Forks, and this report was
forwarded with all due solemnity to the parties in interest, its principal
enthusiastic advocate recommending its acceptance, and suggesting the
prompt improvement of the river. The subsequent troubles and
removal of Simcoe put a stop to public improvements, and so crippled
the Government, that the rulers were well pleased to be able to cut a
military road or trail to Chatham and Sandwich along the river bank
or plateau, leaving the question of navigation seriously alone. The
Thames may be said to form the great drainage basin for Southern and
Central Middlesex, as well as for London City. The water is
impure from sources to estuary, owing to this being the case; while, as
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
13
a navigable stream, it is only used within the county by a few pleasure
steamboats, which ply between London and the water-works at
Springbank, from June to September. In the early years of the
district, grist-mills were erected along its course, and to-day a few are
operated by this water-power.
Other Streams. — The Aux Sauble, in the northern and north-
western townships, has played an important part in the drama of
progress. This river drains an immense area, its head- waters spreading
out in every direction, affording water-power to many mills, and
drainage advantages to many sections.
Bear Creek, the Wye, the two forks of the Thames, and a hundred
minor creeks, give a stream to almost every farm, and, with the greater
river, contribute to render bridge and culvert construction a permanent
local industry of no small importance.
Geology. — Middlesex has never been made the field of extensive
geological exploration, although scientists have established the fact
that at about the same level are found nearly the same deposits as in
the country adjacent on the east and south — indicating that this section
of Canada has not undergone any modern geological disturbance. In
1861-5 the country suffered from an unhealthy oil fever; but soon
after men learned that this was not the region to find a great coal bed,
nor yet a great oil fountain. Director Selwyn, of the Canadian
Geological Survey, writing under date of June 13, 1888, says : — "About
London the country is covered to a depth of more than 100 feet by
sand and clay, with pebbles and boulders. Beneath these surface
deposits, the whole area of the county is supposed to be underlaid by
the Devonian formations — known as the Hamilton shales and the
Corniferous limestone. The greater part, if not all the oil and salt
wells of Ontario, are bored in these formations. At greater depths, the
formations which yield the large supplies of gas and oil in Ohio would
be found to underlie the whole of the County of Middlesex, and might
yield similar valuable deposits. The Trenton limestone, which crops
out along the north shore of Lake Ontario, from Kingston to Port
Newcastle and through to the Georgian Bay, yields the gas and oil in
Ohio, being reached at a depth of 2,200 feet from the surface."
Building Stone. — In November, 1843, Surveyor Cull deals very
fully with the building of the jail, introducing Tristram Coates, a
would-be contractor for lumber, and Garrison & Sifton, cut-stone
contractors. It appears that Cull managed to cut off these men, and
better still, to discover a quarry. Speaking of this quarry, Cull says : —
" I stated to the Council that a valuable quarry had been discovered
on the banks of the North Kiver, about four miles from London.* That
quarry is believed to contain an almost inexhaustible supply. The
proprietor at first demanded as high as twelve shillings and sixpence
* F. B. Talbot thinks it is the present Barnes' quarry, six miles distant, while William
McClary thinks it was taken out of Gray's quarry, on the North Branch, two concessions
north of the Asylum.— ED.
14 HISTORY OF THE
per cord. After some difficulty, an agreement was made witli him for
seven shillings and sixpence per cord, and five shillings per cord for
quarrying." This stone is very rough, but durable. A good limestone
is found in Westminster.
Sand and Gravel— Throughout the county great sand and gravel
beds exist. At the beginning of the pike roads in this section of
Canada, County Engineer Talbot, unacquainted with these great
deposits, suggested the building of charcoal roads ; but his report to
the County Council brought out the fact that heavy gravel could be
found in every township. Subsequently the toll-road system was
introduced, and henceforth the gravel beds of the county offered a
wide field for development — particularly at Komoka, in Lobo ; and at
Putnamville, in Dorchester.
Oil Wells.— The Indians, it is said, used to collect crude petroleum
along the Thames in early days and sell it to the pioneers, to be used
for lighting purposes as well as axle grease ; but Indian enterprise did
not seek below the surface for this very marketable commodity ; so,
that for half a century the so-called oil fountains were left unexplored.
During the year 1865, several oil prospectors were in the county, and
every day brought an account of some new well in Delaware, Williams,
Adelaide, and even London and eastern townships. In November, the
Hicks' oil well was bored — 266 feet — 86 through sand and gravel,
80 through white lime rock, 50 through sand, and 50 through soft lime
rock. At 15 feet in the white lime rock, a vein of black sulphur water
was struck. On the evening of November 10th, a crevice in the soft
lime rock was tapped when a flow of petroleum-impregnated water
was struck, yielding 1,000 barrels per day, of which there were about
three barrels of oil. In 1865, Professor Winchell denounced the
statement that oil existed in any paying quantities within Middlesex
County ; while T. M. Reynolds, then residing at London, stated that
" excellent oil springs existed above and below the Thames Forks."
Reynolds based his opinion on statements made by Professor Hall, at
the great oil meeting held at the City Hall, October 6th, 1865, who said
that in 1846 he saw two fossils taken from the Thames at London,
peculiar to the Hamilton group. The Professor was so earnest in this
opinion that he purchased an interest in the Hicks' well, then beinc*
bored west of the city on the Thames. Previous to this, wild state-
ments were made at the oil men's banquet at the Tecumseh House
which the Michigan geologist thought well to deny. At Cashmere in
Mosa ; Sylvan, in West Williams, and on Poore's Farm, in McGillivray
small quantities of oil were produced.
Salt Wells.— The Onondaga rock enters Canada on the Niagara
River above the falls. In Middlesex County, it is represented in the
western townships-at Glencoe, Park Hill, and other places where the
salt rock has been penetrated. The salt rock at Warwick was struck
af ^nPf f ™°° feft> and the Salt stratum was Pierced to a depth
of 100 feet. The rock at Warwick is only 90 feet below the level of
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
15
that at Goderich, 80 miles north ; 300 feet below the rock at Kincardine,
30 miles north of Goderich, and 500 feet below the rock at Inverhuron.
The strata from Inverhuron to Warwick is almost identical, being
limestone, white flint rock, blue shale, salt rock, and, beneath, a spongy
sulphurous rock containing sulphur beds.
Fire Clay. — In almost every section of the county excellent
material for brick, tile and drain-pipe manufacture exists. From the
period when the first brickyard was opened on Con. 1 , of Westminster,
by the Griffiths, or that on Bathurst street, between Talbot and Ridout,
to the present time, Middlesex cream bricks have attained celebrity ;
and since the introduction of the Michigan brick machine, have almost
approached in excellence the manufactures of the Milwaukee, (Wis.)
yards. Potter's clay is also found in some quantity, and the owners of
the London Pottery now propose to use it in some wares, in preference
to imported earth. The Tiffany brick machine was invented by Geo.
S. Tiffany, of Tecumseh, Mich., while the machine manufactured at
Park Hill, is the invention of another citizen.
Trees and Shrubs. — In the days of the pioneers, the plateau of the
Thames, the eastern and central part of Dorchester and parts of Dela-
ware, formed the pine -district. The trees were known as white pine,
although in one case — Miles V. Jolly — the latter tried to set aside a
contract reserving the white pine on lands purchased from the former,
basing his case on the fact that the trees were not really white pine,
but of some other class of the pine family. In the northern part of
the county hemlock predominated ; but throughout the maple, oak,
elm, and all those hardwood giants of the Canadian forest attained a
heavy growth. In March, 1879, a white- wood tree was cut on Donald
McPherson's farm in East Williams, which yielded 6,000 feet of sawn
lumber — the butt alone yielding 1,200 feet. The product brought $120.
HISTORY OF THE
' CHAPTER IT.
INDIAN RESIDENTS FROM 1580 TO 1888.
Earliest Indian Residents.— The Indian, being without a litera-
ture, knows nothing of his origin. The Frenchman and Spaniard
found him here, and learning from him all he did know, gave the story
to civilization as an Indian legend, while treating the new-found race
historically as they found it.
The Hurons, originally the Wyandots, were at Quebec in Io34,
when Jagques Cartier arrived there. Later, they formed an alliance
with the Adirondacks, but when the latter joined the Southern Iroquois
Confederacy (about 1580), the prestige of the Wyandots began to fade,
and the dispersion of the tribe overall Canada to Lake Huron followed.
Early in the 16th century, they, with some Mississaugas and members
of other tribes, formed a new confederacy with villages along the
Thames and Lake and Eiver St. Glair. In 1649, this new branch of
the tribe was dispersed by the Southern Confederacy. The name
originates in the phrase Quelles Hures (What Heads), applied by the
French of Marquette's time on first seeing them in their new western
home. During the winter of 1615-16, Champlain visited among the
tribes then inhabiting the Peninsula, formed by Lake Erie and St. Clair
river. The country was then inhabited by a tribe, to whom Champlain
gave the name Neutral Nation, or Nation de Truite ; while the whole
country west was called Conchradum, and after the Iroquois war>
Saguinan. The Hurons were, undoubtedly, a branch of the great
Algonquin race/Avhich, under several names, owned Ontario from the
Ottawa to Lake Huron. To this Ontario division the general title of
Iroquois du Nord was given by the French for military and political
purposes. After the great war of 1649, the Otchipwas and Mississ-
augas moved from the South into Canada, and the victorious Iroquois of
the South returned to their original homes.
The Mississaugas are first named by the French in 1620. Prior to
the Revolution they moved from the Upper Lake region -and Minnesota
to the country east of the Georgian Bay, and in the Albany (N. Y.)
Council of 1746 they were taken into the Iroquois Confederacy as the
seventh nation. Charlevoix speaks of them as having villages at
Niagara, on the La Tranchee and on Lake St. Clair subsequent to 1649.
They were also known as Souters or Jumpers, and at the close of the
eighteenth century seemed to be the sole aboriginal occupiers of what
now constitutes the Province of Ontario.
Back in the beginning of the 15th century the Mohawks, Oneidas,
Cayugas, Onondagas, and Senecas, inhabiting what is now the States
of New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, and roaming at will over
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
17
adjacent territory, entered into a treaty of friendship, under the title
" Five Nations ;" and so, the Iroquois, with a few changes, such as
ousting the Oneidas and taking the Aucguagas, continued to live under
this treaty for nearly three hundred years, when, in 1712, the Tuscaroras
came from North Carolina to join the confederacy, and were admitted
as the sixth nation, since which time the name — Six Nations — has
been applied, with the exception of the short period, the Mississaugas
held a place in the Council. Their powerful opponents were the
Dela wares, Cherokees, Mohicans, Adirondacks and Hurons. The
latter's power was broken about 1647 by the terrible Iroquois, while
in 1653 the Erie nation was almost wiped out of existence by the
fierce warriors. The Iroquois on July 19, 1701, ceded to the British
all the following described tract : —
" That vast tract of land or colony called Canagaviavchio, beginning on the north-
west side of Cadavachqui (Ontario) Lake, and includes all the land lying between the
great lake of Ottawa (Huron), and the lake called by the natives Sahiquage, and by
the Christians the Lake of Sweege (Oswego for Lake Erie), and runs till it butts upon
the Twichtwichs, and is bounded westward by the Twichtwichs, on the eastward by a
place called Quadoge, containing in length about 800 miles, and breadth 400 miles,
including the country where beavers and all sorts of wild game keep, and the place
called Tjeughsaghrondie, alias Fort De Tret, or Wawyachttenock (Detroit), and so
runs round the Lake of Sweege till you come to a place called Oniardarundaquat."
Tribal and Individual History. — The Mohawks, one of the
tribes composing the Six Nations, were adherents of the British, and
in the British service during the American Revolution. They were
also known by the French as Agniers. After the war the Mohawks
crossed from their temporary home on the American side of the
Niagara, and ultimately settled on a tract of land on the Bav of Quinte,
purchased from the Mississaugas by the British for them. The Senecas
desired that the Mohawks should live nearer to them, and on the
latter expressing a desire to accede to the wish of the Senecas, the
Government granted them six square miles on Grand River. Their
advent to Canada dates back to 1780-1, even before the down-
fall of the British force under Cornwallis. Brant commanded the
whole tribe, with his cousin, John Brant, an older man, second in
command. In 1783-4 the tribe wintered at Cataraqui.
Thayendinagea was the original Indian name of the chief, Joseph
Brant. He was born on the banks of the Ohio in 1742, where his
father, Tchowaghwengaraghkwin, a full-blooded Mohawk of the Wolf
Tribe, held sway; but Soieugarahta — old King Hendrick — was the
great chief whom Joseph Brant succeeded. John Brant, chief of the
Six Nations, died of cholera, at Brantford, Aug. 27, 1832. He was
the son of the Indian Chief Brant, who died Nov. 24, 1807, while his
squaw retired to Grand River, where she also died. His annual pay
and perquisites, granted him by the British for his service against the
Americans, amounted to £500 annually.
John Smoke Johnson, a Mohawk chief, who aided the British in
1812-14, died in 1886, aged 94 years.
18 HISTORY OF THE
After a part of the Oneidas ceded their lands near Oneida Lake,
N. Y., in 1829 or 1830, they migrated westward in charge of two
Church of England missionaries — Davis and Williams. They settled
near Green Bay. In 1840, the remainder of their lands was sold, and
coming to Canada they purchased 5,000 acres in Delaware township,
where Moses Schuyler was a chief, and Taylor Dockstader, a large
fanner, in 1850. In 1871 this band numbered 641; in 1881, 688,
and in 1887, 775. Their reservation comprises 5,000 acres in Dela-
ware; Township, purchased by them about 1838, and held in trust for
them by the Government. Of their four schools, one is presided over
by a white female teacher, and the others by natives. The Oneidas
belong to the second division of the Western Superintendency, of which
Thomas Gordon is agent.
The Munceys originally belonged to Pennsylvania, and were among
the tribes with whom Penn's memorable, though unwritten, treaty
was made. From this time until the year 1757 they lived quietly
under British rule. In the series of conflicts which then took place
between the English and French troops, the Munceys invariably fought
under the English flag despite all overtures made to them by the
French. By a treaty made between them and Sir William Johnston,
commander of the British forces at Fort Johnson in 1757, these Indians
were promised in return for their alliance, the protection of the
" Great King George the Third" against all their enemies; that their
material interests should be continuously looked after, and the pos-
session of their lands guaranteed to them. The Indians, on their part,
agreed to "rise up as one man, and assist His Majesty's arms in driving
the French out of the country." It is upon this treaty, and the pro~-
mises it contained, the Munceys now rely. The Munceys kept their
promises, and when the Revolutionary War broke out some years later
were moved by their allies to undisturbed British soil. Colonel Sir
VVilliam Butler, then commanding the Royal troops, havincr said to
them on that occasion, that King George III would replace their losses
m Canada. Grants of land were made to all the friendly Indians
except to the Munceys and the Shawanees. The former ultimately
settled on the Grand River, till their services were called for on the
outbreak of the War of 1812, when they fought under Tecumseh.
When peace was proclaimed, the claims of the Munceys (now only a
•emnant of a tribe) were again overlooked, but they were allowed to
wander at will. Finally they settled where they now are, on land
Kjlongmg to the Otchipwas, who allowed them to remain there tern-
>ranly. Some years later the land was purchased of the Otchipwas
he Canadian Government, but the Munceys have been in possession
down to the present time. The reservation is about seven miles in
*ngth, forming an irregular square, and is now intercepted by two
r^ways-the mam line of the Canada Southern, and a loop line of the
Jd bv th O V1"2 the r Sti°n °f evictinS the wh'le tribe TO
issed by the Otchipwas and carried to such extremes that Half
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 19
Moon, an educated youth, was deputed to visit Philadelphia in search
of evidence to sustain their claims, and the second chief of the tribe,
who was also their schoolmaster, to go to England and urge them before
the Queen. Half Moon, however, died, but the Quakers of the city
found the records, and the delegate, Wahbunahkee, who called him-
self Scebie Logan, was sent to England. He is a broad shouldered
fellow of five-and-twenty, a full-blooded Indian, having descended from
Muncey and Mohican parents. In appearance he possesses all the
most marked characteristics of the red race, including the heavy gait
which appears so prominent if European costume is worn, but ceases to
be apparent in Indian costume. He was educated at the Mohawk
Institute at Brantford, Ontario, and was elected second chief of the
Muncey s in April, 1881, his selection being on account of his educa-
tion which was superior to that of most Indians, and of his being a total
abstainer from the destructive fire-water. Besides being a school-
master, he was a substantial farmer. The historic tomahawk, which
was carried by their chief through many a battle, and hung in the
wigwam's smoke for many a year, was to be presented to the Queen.
In March, 1883, a deputation from the Munceys visited Ottawa, to ask
the Government's assistance in settling their dispute with the Otchipwas.
In 1886, Inspector Dingman suggested that the Munceys should be left
in possession of their lands, except 498 acres. This area was to be
detached in fifty acre tracts from the holdings of James Huff, Jacob
Dolson, Jacob, Joseph and Scebie Logan, Nellis, Timothy, the heirs of
widow Wilson, and W. Waddilove, thirty-eight acres from the lands
of James Wolf, Sampson, John, and Eichard Wilson, and seventy
acres from James Wolf. The Indians protested. In 1871 the Mun-
ceys numbered 130; in 1881, 129, and in 1887, 125. Their single
school is presided over by a white teacher.
Six families of Pottawattamies, and three families of half-breeds,
who live on this reserve, are not enumerated in the census and tabular
statement, as they do not belong to either of the bands owning it,
although they are located on the land they occupy. These families,
numbering twenty souls, make the number of Indians within the
agency 1,378.
The Otchipwas, or Chippewas, are, according to Bishop Baraga, a
branch of the Algonquin race. They were inhabitants of Nippissing and
Lake Superior region before the historic period, and have, since that time,
been associated with the Upper Lake country. The name was first given
to a band of Nippercineans, and ultimately was applied to all speakers of
the Nippercinean language, who, in 1649, fell back on Lake Superior
before the advancing Iroquois, just as the Bone Cave Builders fell back
before the Nippercineans. Their dialect was the most refined of all the
Indian tongues, and won the praise of the great French students who
visited their villages. Such historic names as Mudjekeewis, Wanbojug,
Andaigweos, and Gitchee Waiskee were applied to the early chiefs,
who kept the tribal fire burning perpetually. The first war within the
1>Q HISTORY OF THE
historic period was waged against the Upper Nipperciiieans by the
M< nominees, who dammed the mouth of Menominee Kiver, and thus
abolished the upper sturgeon fisheries. The war raged from 1627 to
1648 without intermission, and the feud was carried down even to-
1857. Their war against the Sauks began about 1519, and continued
until nearly the whole of Michigan and Canada, from Erie to Nippissing,
bore marks of the strife. Nawassiswanabi succeeded the first chief of
the Otchipwas of the Thames. Tomaco, the next chief of importance,
was an uncle of the present Nelson Beaver, on his father's side. In
1812, those Indians served with Tecumseh against the Americans.
Old Simon, Yahobance, Miskokoman, Jim Muskalonge, Kanotaing,
Jim Carey or Bakakadus, and other warriors, are well known names
connected with the war and with this tribe, the present Nelson Beaver
being born within a half mile of Lambeth, in 1819. At this time the
tribe was uncivilized, but believed in one ruling spirit who would take
them west to the happy hunting grounds, where huckleberries grew,
the bad Indians falling off a log into a deep river.
In 1851, the Otchipwas possessed 9,000 acres in Caradoc. At
Upper Muncey or Colborne, at Old Munceytown, and at Bear Creek,
on the north line of the reservation, wer,e their settlements. The
Munceys settled among the Otchipwas since the beginning of the
present century, and shared in the presents annually made to the
Otchipwas, but not in the annual payment of £600. At Upper
Muncey, John Eiley was Chief and Peter Jones was Methodist
Missionary. In 1840, Eev. E. Flood was appointed Missionary at Old
Muncey, and later a church house was erected there. Logan was
Chief at this time.
The Otchipwas of the Thames, in 1871, numbered 470 ; in 1881,
483, and in 1887, 458. With the Munceys they occupy the Caradoc
Eeserve. The reserve is composed of the best land in the Township of
Caradoc, and contains 12,095 acres. A very large proportion of tha
waste land belonging to this band has been leased by the Department
to white farmers for a short term of years, under conditions of paying a
certain rental, and improving the land by clearing it, making good
fences and ditching. The work already done by these lessees has made
a marked improvement. Agent Gordon, in his report of 1887, states :
" Ihere are three schools upon the reserve, all taught by Indian teachers.
Ihe attendance at these schools is not so numerous as could be wished
Indians are careless, and often indifferent in sending their children to
The teachers state that they have done all in their power to
e children to attend, but with indifferent success. The three
^n teachers are very exemplary men ; one of them is head chief of
the band, another is chief of the Indians of Ontario, chosen at the last
meeting of the Grand Council, and the third teacher was lately head
the Munceys of the Thames. The new Council house upon
Reserve is just finished, and appears to be a very fine building
indeed. It is built of brick with stone foundation, and is 60 by 3?
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 21
feet. Much credit is due to the contractor for the manner in which
the work was done. The Church of England and the Methodist Church
of Canada have also each a mission on this reserve. Dr. Sinclair, of
Melbourne, is their medical adviser, and appears to be very attentive
to them. The Mount Elgin Industrial Institution, under the able
management of the Eev. W. W. Shepherd, continues to do good work.
The children in school and in the workshops are making very good
progress."
Indians of 181%. — The Council of Petagwano, now Point Edward,,
was held about 1775. The question which the British agents placed
before this Council, " Which should they help, American or British ?"
was discussed. They had been in council six days, but could not
agree, so that they sent for the great prophet and chief of the Hurons —
Weinekeuns. This chief was grimly grotesque. Large and power-
full as he was, Providence endowed him with three noses or sets of
nostrils — a small nose on each side of the centre one. On arriving he
stepped into the centre of the Council, and, addressing the warriors,
said : — " My brothers, the Great Spirit tells me that we poor Indians
had best keep silence, for the Keshemokomon (Big Knife, or
American), will drive us away beyond the Rocky Mountains. These
beautiful forests will not be our home. It may be you and I will be
gone to the happy hunting grounds of our fathers, but these things
will surely come. The Americans fight for themselves and the British
for their King. The Americans are few, but they can fight for them-
selves, and have a great advantage ; they will drive the English back
over the great waters, and will fight to the last. So there is no hope
for us. Remain in peace. The Great Spirit has spoken." This chief
was known to the early settlers along the river. He reached the age
of 125 years and his wife 101 years, they being the parents of fifteen
children.
Border Incidents. — In 1813, the Indians of the Western and
London Districts held a great council on the St. Clair River, at which
it was decided to capture and kill all American sympathizers on each
side of the river. A friendly squaw gave the alarm, and the greater
number fled to Detroit; but King, an Englishman, who settled in
Canada, did not think they would harm him ; but next day, he and a
man named Rodd, husband of old mother Rodd, were shot and killed
— the Indians not approaching near enough to recognize them as
Englishmen. Among the savages engaged in this affair were Old Salt,
Black Foot, Wapoose (the medicine man), and Wawanosh, who died at
Sarnia about 1878. For those miscreants the British erected houses in
1828 near Sarnia, building material and shingles being purchased from
Burtch, of Port Huron. At Marine City, and, indeed, along the
American bank of the St. Clair River, the settlers suffered much during
the War of 1812-14. Families were marked out for Indian vengeance
by the British on account of the older boys being in the American
'
HISTORY OF THE
army, and it was common for a mother and her children to hide in the
willow groves for weeks. The tragedy at Bunce's Creek, a few miles
south of Port Huron, points out the manner in which this war was
conducted in Western Canada. A party of five soldiers started from
Fort Gratio.t to row to Detroit. A company of Indians under Tawas,
a quarter-breed, was at this point awaiting them, and, when the soldiers
appeared, hoisted a white flag to decoy them. The troops, unfortu-
nately, rowed toward the creek ; but when close to the river bank, the
Indians opened fire, killing four of the men, leaving the fifth to sink or
swim in the river. He saved himself, however, and, after many hard-
ships, returned to Fort Gratiot. The Indians made life along the border
so unendurable that all the families, except Mrs. Harrow's, moved to
Canada, and swore allegiance to the British ; but many returned afte"r
the defeat of Proctor on the- Thames.
The half-breed Magee commanded the Indians during Major
Mulir's occupation of Detroit, or from the surrender of Hull to the
arrival of Harrison. At times the Indian captain would be so drunk
regular troops would have to remove him. Whether drunk or sober
his power over his dusky command was remarkable, and it is said that
Magee's terrific yell (he had a voice like a lion,) would gather round
him all the savages, as a bugle call would gather the regular troops to
Mulir's quarters. During the year ending in October, 1813, a number
of Americans were killed along the border, and it required the greatest
care and vigilance on the part of the British commanders to check the
Indians, as_wejl_as their own. .trporjs, ^in their murderous designs on
border wcTnieii and children, who had moved into Canada, and taken the
required oath of allegiance. The original instruction to the savages to
annihilate the Americans was, however, carried out by them, as far as
it was possible. < In 1812, and for years before, the Shanaway Indians
resided on Big Bear Creek, making camps up that creek and the
Thames, from March to October, and spending the winters near Lake
•St. Clair. There were five sons, who were all British warriors. One
of them named Megish was killed at Lundy's Lane by Capt. Chesby
O'Blake, who was mate of a brig lying at Newburyport, who, being
blocaded by the British, tied up his ship, and, with his men, joined
Scott's brigade.
Nimecance, or Lightning, a son of Kioscance, served under Patrick
Sinclair, commander of the British garrison at Pine River, now St.
Clair City, Mich. In 1817 this Indian was 105 years old, and still
attended to his corn fields, four miles south of the Port Huron Custom
House. He died about 1824, aged 112 years.
His father, Kioscance, was chief of the Otchipwas, in their wars
against the Wyandots and Six Nations. His fleet was so extensive
that it covered the old broad St. Clair from Point Edward to Walpole
Nicholos Plane, chief of the Sarnia Indians, is a great
grandson of old Kioscance. His tribe was known as the Rapid Tribe,
whose village was about a mile north-east of the present town of Point
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
23
Edward, prior to their removal to Fort Gratiot, after their incursion
into the Erie country.
Okemos, the nephew of Pontiac, and head chief of the Otchipwas,
was born in Michigan in 1763. In later years he performed feats of
valor for the British at Sandusky, which won for him the name of being
the greatest warrior and chief of his tribe. He, with Manito Corbay
and sixteen other warriors, was afterwards sent out by the British
Commandant at Detroit to reconnoitre as far as the British rendezvous
at Sandusky. They ambushed a party of mounted American rifle-
men, but suffered so terribly from the charge which followed, that they
would not join Tecumseh in 1812. Okemos died in 1858, with a name
known from Sandusky to Niagara and Detroit.
The half-breed, John Riley, who in early years resided at Port
Huron, but made his home along the Thames, Bear Creek, and Aux
Sauble. was a great hunter. One Sunday, while walking in the woods
with a boy, he discovered a large log in which some animal was living.
He said to the boy " Abscoin, hashapun " (John, a raccoon). The boy
entered, but came out with great speed, crying 4< Moguash, Moguash "
(a bear, a bear). Eiley drew his tomahawk, and when the bear's head
appeared buried the weapon in his brains, thus obtaining 400 pounds
of bear without intentionally breaking the Sabbath, of which he pre-
tended to be a strict observer.
Kumekumenon, or Macompte, although residing for years on the
western border of Lake St. Glair, exercised much influence over the
Indians of Western Canada until 1816, when death relieved him of
power. His sons — one bearing the same name, and one Francis —
moved to Lakeville, Mich, in 1830. The latter, with Truckatoe and
Kanobe, was subsequently an important man until the westward
movement of the tribes. Kanobe moved to Canada in 1 827.
Shignebeck, a son of Kioscance, was 109 years of age at his death
in the thirties. Ogotig, a daughter, lived to see 107 years; old
mother Rodd, who died in 1870, on the Sarnia reservation, was 104
years old, while Onsha, a third son of the chief, reached a very old age.
Old Wittaniss was a sub-chief among the remnant of the Hurons
in 1776. About that time he assisted the British, and during the war
of 1812 was one of their Indian allies.
Tipsikaw, who left the St. Glair region for the west in 1837, was a
brave of great speed and a celebrated wrestler.
Negig, an Indian Chief, who died in 1807, was one of the best
known Indians in the St. Glair District.
Kishkawko, a desperate Otchipwa, served in the War of 1812.
Among the Indians who traversed this western section of Canada,,
and, indeed, claimed parts of Michigan, were Black Snake and his son-
in-law Black Duck. Like the half-breed, John Eiley, they con-
sidered themselves Americans, but were friendly to the British Indians.
On one occasion, the Canadian Indians visited what is now Port
Huron, to hold a feast or picnic. Whisky was plentiful, and with it
24
HISTOKY OF THE
they were eloquent speakers. Among the Britishers was a brave from
the Aux Saubles, who boasted of his war career in 1812-13, and told
the number of American scalps he had taken during the war. Black
Duck listened, and when the speaker had finished, addressed him thus :
" You are a great brave; you have killed many Americans ; you have
taken their scalps. The Americans you killed were my friends, and
you will kill no more." Black Duck buried his tomahawk in the
boaster's brain, and the feast ended. At this time and for years after,
the Indian wigwams were chinked with moss — some capable of shelter-
ing twenty persons. Deer was plenty : the present Nelson Beaver
killed over 2,000 in his younger days, and often furnished London
with venison to supply all demands.
In March, 1828, a youth named Petit set out from Port Huron
to search for an Indian hunting party, under Tawas, who were in
Canada all winter. Others had set out before this, but failed to meet
Tawas. In this search he was accompanied by one armed Indian, who
had, some years before, murdered his squaw, where Sarnia now stands,
and hid the body in Black River at Port Huron. The two proceeded
to Sebewaing, and, following the lake's Canadian shore, they reached
White Rock. Next day they discovered Tawas and his band in a
sugar camp, which they had selected on account of the stream close by
affording plenty of fish. The Indians had a number of brass kettles
of various sizes, which had been presented to them by the British
Government. He purchased from them 500 marten skins, at one dollar
each, but did not buy the large quantity of coarse furs which the band
had collected.
A young Indian named John Seneca, of the Muncey tribe, was
induced to go to the United States during the war. There he was
compelled to enter the army, and was subsequently killed. His
father, Peter Seneca, believed a resident of Mt. Brydges guilty of
leading his son away, and treasuring up revenge, attacked the voung
man in September, 1870.
In April, 1887, the Hallelujah Band, of Moraviantown, visited
Munceytown, and on the 23rd, a similar band was organized there
with Chief W. J. Waddilove, captain of the men, and Phoebe
Waddilove, captain of the women, with Peter Jones, lieutenant of the
hrst, and Frances Wilson, of the second band.
Nelson Beaver, chief of the Caradoc Reserve, was sixty years
connected with his tribe up to 1881. Among the agents of whom he
speaks highly were Froome Talford,who succeeded Col. Clinch; Agent
T f«e«T^ l°Wf CHuch' and in 1878 ASent Gordon took charge.
tt^ZSFSS&lX* r°Undlv deno™ced, and ultimately
abolished.— ( Vide Sketch of Nelson Beaver )
T>J^lS^ House, at
London, about 1849, an Indian approached from York street, while the
chief Nelson Beaver, came down from Dundas street. The two Indians
met at the corner, but Nelson's salutation was not understood as
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 25
Indian No. 1 proved to be an Oneida. Beaver said to him : — " What
are you saying ? You're a blacker Indian than 1 am, and yet you can't
speak Indian. You're a fool. Can you talk anything ? " The query
led to a quarrel ; both Indians took off their blanket rolls or budgets,
but the moment the argumentum ad hominem was to be made,
Beaver picked up his roll, and, running over to the crowd on the hotel
piazza, cried out, " Didn't I fool that Indian, eh ? "
Indian Churches and Missions. — The Missions of the Canada
Wesleyan Conference among the Indians were instituted in 1822, two
years before the Missionary Society was formed at Grand River, Brant
County, Ont., with Rev. Alvin Tory, preacher. In 1828, a mission
among the Otchipwes, Oneidas and Munceys of Caradoc and Delaware
was commenced, the membership being 15, increased in 1873 to 123.
Thomas Hurlburt was preacher from 1828 to 1833 inclusive ; Ezra
Adams, 1833-4; Solomon Waldron, 1835-40; Peter Jones, 1840-3;
with D. Hardie in 1843 ; C. Flumerfelt in 1844; Sol. Waldron, 1845 ;
Peter Jones, 1846-48; Abrarn Sickles being assistant from 1843 to
1870, with the exception of a few years; Samuel D. Rice, 1849;
Samuel Rose, 1850-5, with John Sunday and A. Sickles, assistants ;
James Musgrove, 1856-62, with Chase, Sickles and Matt. Whiting,
assistants ; Francis Berry and Sickles served from 1864 to 1866. In
1860, the Mount Elgin school was placed in charge of Reuben E.
Tupper, and the mission in charge of Peter German, both of whom
served until 1870. A year later, the school and mission work were
reunited, with James Gray in cha.rge. He was succeeded in 1872 by
Ephraim Evans and Allan Salt, who were the preachers in 1873, the
membership being then 141. The Muncey Indian Mission of the
Methodist Church of Canada was presided over from 1874 to 1880 by
Thomas Cosford. Allan Salt assisted in 1874; Samuel Tucker, in
1875-7; Abel Edwards, in 1878-80; W. W. Shepherd and A.
Edwards, in 1881-3, while Abel Edwards and W. W. Shepherd served
in 1884, at the time of the second Methodist union.
In early years the old Indians arranged many, if not all of the mar-
riages ; later the young warriors arranged matters with the girl, and
later still, even in this day, a system of promiscuous living together
was introduced, not over one half of the number at present availing
themselves of the marriage ceremony. In fact, in Nelson Beaver's
early years, girls did ncrt run at large ; but the matter of inter-sexual
honor has now almost disappeared, and white children are also very
common.
Rev. Ezra Adams, of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, joined the
following natives in marriage during the years 1834-5 :
Sept. 1, 1834-~James Thomas, to Peggy ; Seneca Jack, to Polly Beaver ; Henry
Maskarioorgaand, to Eliza. Nov. 12 — Talbut Chief, to Margaret Wabesenasequa.
Dec> 2 — James Tunkey, to Margaret. Feb. IP, 1835 — George Peter, to Ohpetapowqua.
Feb. 1 — James Egg, to Matilda Quawi. Feb. 1 — James Kewaquam, to Polly Ohnahpe-
wanoqua. Sept. 1, 1834— John Maskanonge, to Jane Stagway.
HISTORY OF THE
The following record by Solomon Waldron, minister of the Wes-
leyan Methodist Church at Munceytown, was made in 1836; David
Sawyer, being a witness in each case :
Jan. 3— John Tomico, to Elizabeth Half Moon ; Isaac Dolson, to Electa Tipic
Kises • Polly Quaitloop, to John Dolson. Feb. 10— Joseph Deertail, to Nancy Loon.
May 3— Waginge Bond, to Nancy Caleb ; John Beaver, to Hannah Elmore ; John
Beaver, 2nd, to Eliza Rishekains. July 17— John Quaitloop, to Polly Bean.
Abram Sickles, an Indian minister, made the following returns
in October, 1850 :
May 14, 1848— David Lunduff, to Margaret Shallo, of Delaware. Dec. 21 —
Daniel Ninham, to Margaret Doxdater, of Delaware. Jan. 21, 1849— Nicholas Nich-
olas, to Mary Ann Williams, of Delaware. June 17 — Bapdist Sunmer, to Nelly
Schegler, of Delaware. June 17 — Abram Schegler, to Susannah Williams, of Dela-
ware. June 19— John Bread, to Mary Island, of Delaware. July 10— Charles Bate-
man, to Mary A. Ewerren, of Caradoc. April 14, 1850 — Peter Alvarn, to Margaret
Andone, of Delaware. Oct. 13— John Nicholas, to Margaret Elem, of Delaware.
His certificate reads as follows : — " I certify that the above mar-
riages were performed by me within the period included between the
first and last on the list ; and that my not having made the returns
within a year after the first was solemnized, arose from my ignorance
of the law — being an Indian and not long resident."
The principal Munceys, who were members of the English Church
in 1847, were Henry C. Hogg, catechist; Mrs. Hogg, J. Wampum
(Kachnakaish), interpreter ; Mrs. Wampum, Ann Johnston (Ainhah-
wooky), Capt. Wolfe (Weirchawk), Phoebe Hank (Aishkunkg), Mary
Hank (Tahtapenawh), David Hank, Abram Hoff, Wm. Waddilove
(Shapaish), John Smith, Mary Delaware (Waimlaish), Moses Shuyler.
Mary Wilcox (Papatahpahnelaiky), David Bear (Maquah), Thomas
and Nancy Wahcosh.
]n 1851, Rev. R. Flood was appointed to the Muncey Mission.
In 1859-60, Rev. A. Potts presided over the English Church at
Munceytown. H. C. Hogg's name appears as an incorporated member
in 1857. In 1861-2, Rev. R. Flood took charge of this and the
Delaware Church. In 1865, Rev. H. P. Chase was appointed over
L Paul's, at Muncey, and St. John's, at Chippewa. In 1869, Zion
Church, of the Oneidas, was established. In 1885, Rev. A. G Smith
took charge of the three Indian Churches.
The Oneida Methodist Mission was part of Muncey until 1871
when William Cross was appointed preacher. The Oneida Indian
Mission of the Methodist Church of Canada succeeded the Weslevan
Mission in 1874, with William Cross preacher. In 1877 Elisha
Tennant took charge; in 1879, Benj. Sherlock; in 1880-3, Erastus
[urlburt with A Sickles; in 1884, E. Hurlburt at Muncey, with
John Kirkland and Sam. G. Livingstone at the College
Elgin Industrial Institution may be said to date back to
±5, when Peter Jones collected moneys in England and Scotland
TECUMSEH, THE SHAWAHEE CHIEF.
COUNTY "OF MIDDLESEX.
27
and had his Indians contribute also. In 1847-8, the buildings were
erected, and in 1849 the Institution was opened, with Eev. Dr. Eice,
Superintendent. Since that time the names of Methodist ministers,
connected with the Institution and Mission, are named in the history
of the Mission. In June, 1887, W. W. Shepherd, present Principal,
reported favorably of this school.
Loyal Orange Lodges. — In connection with the churches and
schools, there are a few Loyal Orange Lodges, the members of which
parade on every 12th of July with band and regalia. As a rule, fire-
water is freely used on the occasion ; but the Lodges, after all,
compare very favorably with those of their white brethren. The
tribes have also an agricultural organization and an annual fair.
Indian Statistics. — On June 10, 1857, an act was assented to
providing for the gradual civilization of the Indians, and the removal
of all legal distinctions between them and other subjects. The
expenditures on account of Indians in 1886-7 amounted to $53,604.90
for Ontario and Quebec; $6,038.01 for Nova Scotia; $6,049.08 for
New Brunswick ; $2,135.26 for Prince Edward Island ; $61,076.40 for
British Columbia; $1,072,397.67 for Manitoba and the North-west.
The tribes represented now in Quebec and Ontario, with the receipts
credited up to June 30, 1886, are given as follows : Otchipwas of
Sarnia, $200,755.87 ; Otchipwas of Thames, $77,332.61 ; Munceys of
Thames, $2,805.09; Oneidas of Thames, $662.89; Moravians of
Thames, $167,018.70 ; Pottawattamies of Walpole Island, $6,806.90;
Otchipwas of Walpole Island, $74,648.60 ; Batchewana Indians,
$4,468.40 ; Otchipwas of Beausoleil, $59,748.80 ; Otchipwas of Nawash,
$367,753.08 ; Otchipwas of Kand, $54,895.44 ; Otchipwas of Saugeen,
$289,852.91 ; Otchipwas of Snake Island, $25,972.61 ; Fort William
band, $14,148.28 ; French River baud, $928.67 ; Garden Eiver Indians,
$36,761.85; Henvey's Inlet Indians, $7,561.05; Lake Nippissing
Indians, $29,829.50; Manitoulin Indians (unceded), $2,530.36;
Maganetewans, $582.57; Mississaugas of Alnwick, $80,033.84;
Mississaugas of Credit, $120,423.49; Mississaugas of Eice Lake,
$22,831.04 ; Mississaugas of Mud Lake, $38,231.38 ; Mississaugas of
Scugog, $11,895.69; Mississaugas of Bay of Quinte, $134,924.98;
Ojibbewas and Ottawas of Manitoulin, $117,794.94; Ojibbewas of
Lake Huron, $61,357.59 ; Ojibbewas of Lake Superior, $50,917.64;
Ojibbewas of the Mississauga Eiver, $4,695.49 ; Parry Island Indians,
$45,365.26 ; Serpent Eiver Indians, $3,004 ; Six Nations, $915,988.30 ;
Shawanaga band, $8,691 ; Spanish Eiver Indians, $3,058; Thessalon
Eiver Indians, $13,278.91 ; Tootoomenai and band, $963.30 ; White-
fish Eiver Indians, $3,939.46; Wyandots of Anderdon, $24,969.17;
Abenakis of St. Francis, $4,158.36; Abenakis of Becancour, $1,279;
Amalecites of Isle Vest and Viger, $5,799 ; Golden Lake Indians, $21 ;
Hurons of Lorette, $26 ; Iroquois of Caughnawaga, $8,271 ; Iroquois of
St. Eegis, $31,271 ; Lake St. John Indians, $1,397 ; Lake of Two
28 HISTORY OF THE
Mountains Indians, $1,260 ; Mississaugas of Upper Ottawa, $3,041,
and River Desert Indians, $40,379.
The territory over which the supervision of Indian affairs extended
in 1862 consisted of what is now embraced in the Provinces of Ontario,
and Quebec, which then composed the old Province of Canada. The
Department now exercises control of Indian matters from the Pro-
vinces of Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, on the Atlantic, to
British Columbia, on the Pacific Ocean.
The number of Indians who, according to the Report for the year
1863, were then under the care of the Department, was 19,181. The
census returns published with this report show that the Indians of the
Dominion of Canada number approximately 128,000 souls. The-
number of reserves occupied by the various bands of Indians of the
old Province of Canada in 1862 was fifty-six. In the seven pro-
vinces, and in the North-west Territories, and in the district of Kee-
watin,' there are at the present time 1,147 Indian reserves ; while in
British Columbia additional reserves are being assigned to the Indians
of that province, as the work of the Commissioner appointed to allot
the same proceeds.
According to the report for the year 1863, there were thirty schools
in operation for the instruction of the Indian children. In 1887 there
were 198 schools in operation.
Indian Trails. — In the days when Ontario was solely in pos-
session of the native tribes, well defined routes of travel existed
between their several noted summer camps, as well as between their
winter towns. There were several practicable routes for the traders
to reach the upper lake region. The original and best known one was
by the Ottawa River, Nippissing and Georgian Bay, which, though
long and hazardous, was the principal channel of intercourse between
Western Canada and the Lower St. Lawrence ; the second was by
the Trent River to Lake Simcoe ; the third was from the present site
of Toronto to Lake Simcoe ; the fourth was from the head of Lake
Ontario, the Grand River to Lake Erie and (La Tranchee) Thames
River to Lake St. Clair, and the fifth by Niagara. The latter route
was seldom chosen, owing to the savage character of the New York
Indians, as well as the rough character of the route. So soon as
Upper Canada was organized for the purposes of Government, two
great highways were established— Yonge and Dundas streets; and
from this beginning the modern system of roads spread out.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
CHAPTER III.
OCCUPATION AND SETTLEMENT.
Retrospection. — When the pioneers came for the first time to the
Indian camp grounds along the Thames, they beheld spread out before
them, as far as their vision could reach, one of nature's most beautiful
panoramas — a land which gave promise, through the perfection of its
natural resources, of a future that some day would become excellent
in every detail of civilization, if not celebrated in the annals of
history. That condition, then so dimly foreshadowed, has at last
been realized. Scarcely eighty years have passed by, and the scenes
that then held the forms of the wilderness, now move onward to the
notes of the plowman's whistle, the faithful call of domestic animalsr
the constant whirling sound of busy machinery, the shrill notes of the
locomotive, the laborer's song, and school children's happy shouts.
Less than eighty years ago wild flowers bloomed in countless
profusion and variety on these lands, and the sons of civilized life
had scarcely invaded the precincts of the great wilderness; now
all is changed. The whole country teems with the fruits of industry
and peace, and thousands of happy families dwell in happy homes.
What a marvellous transformation! The country is aged already,
so precocious has been its development.
First Settlements in the County. — Who were those white
travellers who first entered the forests to carve out a home ? They
were Americans, driven from their country by the sentimental
grievance which the new Eepublic created. In the deep Canadian
woods they had time for reflection, and, within a decade after
settlement, their studies took shape, and again they are found
among the soldiers of the Union they once deserted.
Delaware is credited with the first settlements made, in what
now constitutes Middlesex County. Ethan Allan (son of Ebenezer),
and Jasper Crow (his brother-in-law), two Americans, who fled from
their country rather than serve it, located their gardens along the
Thames, and for some years resided there. During those years
the glory of the young Eepublic floated as a vision before them, so
that when the Union required new troops for a new war, Allan and
Crow were among the very first to answer the call. In 1812, Allan
bid farewell to his Canadian home forever, and was followed by
Crow, who left his wife and family the farm which he had improved. *
Ebenezer Allan, to whom Governor Simcoe granted 2,200 acres,
in Delaware, in 1793, for his services in leading the Indians against
* The story of the two men, and of the father's motley family, belongs to the history of
Delaware Township, where it is given.
30 HISTORY OF THE
the Americans, in 1775-81, sold, within seven years his grant for
£3000 and Delaware entered on its career of prosperity. In 17W,
the' Springers came, followed by the Woodhulls in 1798, and then a
steady tide of immigration filled the county.
The first settlement of the eastern townships was made in 1794,
the following letter giving the story of the pioneers :—
INGERSOLL, Nov. 5, 1888.
Mr William McClary :— Your card received, and in reply, as William is a noted
name, I'will give you some facts. My grandfather's name was William Reynolds.
He and Major Ingersoll, who was a resident of New York, came to Canada m 1773
(1793) and applied to Governor Simcoe, who resided at Niagara, for a grant of land m
the Township of Dorchester, to my grandfather, and in Oxford to Mr. Ingersoll, pro-
viding each would cause fifty settlers to come into the township ; and the following
year moved into Dorchester, which would be 1774 (1794). He was not able to get the
required number of settlers. The Governor withdrew his offer and gave my grand-
father 1,000 acres, and each of his children 200 acres He then had five boys and two
daughters. The same year my father was married to Sarah Stevens, of Burford, and
settled in the township next his father, and helped to build a saw-mill near where a
flouring-mill (Cartwright's) now stands. At that time there was not a white man,
save his employes, in the township. My brother David, who now lives in Petrolea,
was the first white child born in Dorchester. Mr. Seth Putnam moved into the town-
ship six years later. It would take me several days to give a full history of the hard-
ships, they being surrounded by Indians camps ; would further say I now hold the
old crown deed to my grandfather, and I know these dates are true.
Yours, very truly,
J. S. REYNOLDS.
Other Prominent Settlers. — There is another pioneer of this
district whose name finds mention in almost every chapter of the
general history of Middlesex. His advent to, and life in, the Erie
country — mysterious and eccentric — seems like a provision of
Providence ; for it required just such a character to win from the
impoverished hearths of Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland, the
bone and sinew able to cope with the wild country, which he determined
to open up. Thomas Talbot, born at Malahide, Dublin Co., Ireland,
in 1771, was Colonel in the 24th British Kegiment at Quebec, in 1790,
and in 1791 was appointed aide-de-camp to Governor Simcoe. In the
latter's letter of Feb. 11, 1803, he states that young Talbot accompanied
him into Upper Canada as his confidential secretary. Four years after
this (1795) he was ordered home to join the 5th Eegiment in Flanders.
Simcoe recommended him to Lord Hobart, Secretary of the Colonies,
and begged for him 5,000 acres of land, as a resident field officer, to be
located in Yarmouth Township, and the remainder of that township to
be reserved for him, and granted to him at the rate of 200 acres for each
family he may locate thereon — 50 acres to be given to such family,
and 150 acres held by himself. The Governor stated that young
Talbot's plan was to introduce himself to the body of Welch and
Scotch, who arrived in New York in 1801, and win them over to
colonize Yarmouth, as well as to help him in the cultivation of hemp,
for which the township was so well adapted. The recommendations of
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
31
Simcoe were carried out, and further grants of 618,000 acres made,
but South Yarmouth, having hitherto been purchased by Col. James
Baby, and the north part by the Canada Company, Talbot failed to
obtain his first selection. He came, nevertheless, and located at Port
Talbot, Dunwich Township, May 21, 1803, where he felled the first
tree that day. Long Point, 60 miles eastward, was the nearest settle-
ment. He was accompanied by George Crane ; six years later came
John Pearce, Backus or Backhouse, Mrs. Story, and Col. L. Patterson
(from Pennsylvania), who, in 1810, were joined by Wm. Davis, Daniel
Eapelge, Moses Eice, Benj. Wilson, John Mandeville, and in 1809 by
the Burwells. Col. Talbot observed the terms of his grant closely ;
but out of the 150 acres of every 200 granted as bonus for placing a
family on the quarter of 50 acres, he was willing to sell 100 acres for
£6 9s. 3d. The point chosen by him for a house is less than eight
miles westward of the heights at Port Stanley. As is related in the
history of London, he, next to Lord Edward Fitzgerald, was among the
first English-speaking explorers of the district, of which London is the
commercial centre.
In speaking of this location, and its most distinguished owner, Mr.
Grant says : — " From the lookout at Port Stanley we can discern, seven
or eight miles westward, Talbot Creek, and the spot where this military
hermit renounced the world of rank and fashion, and entered the
wilderness, there to abide with brief intermission for nearly 50 years ;
the spot also where, after a stormy life, he now peacefully lies, listening
to the lapping of the lake waves upon the shore. Talbot was two
years younger than Arthur Wellesly, the future Duke of Wellington,
and while still in their teens, the young officers were thrown much
together as aides to Talbot's next relative, the Marquis of Buckingham,
then Viceroy of Ireland. The warm friendship thus formed was kept
up to the end of their lives by correspondence and by Col. Talbot's
secular visits to Apsley House, where he always found Wellington
ready to back him against the intrigues of the Canadian Executive.
Through Simcoe's influence Talbot obtained, in 1803, a township on
the shore of Lake Erie ; the original demesne grew in half a century to
a principality of about 700,000 acres, with a population of 75,000 souls.
There was an arcadian simplicity about the life of these pioneers. The
title-deeds of the farms were mere pencil entries by the Colonel in
his township maps ; transfers were accomplished by a rubber and
more pencil entries. His word of honor was sufficient, and their con-
fidence was certainly never abused. The anniversary of his landing
at Port Talbot, the 21st of May, was erected by Dr. Eolph into a great
festival, which was long kept up in St. Thomas with all honor.
Immediately after this brief respite the hermit would return to his
desolation, in which there was an odd mixture of aristocratic hauteur
and savage wildness. The acquaintances of earlier life fell away one
by one, and there were none others to fill the vacancies. While cre-
ating thousands of happy firesides around him his own hearth remained
HISTORY OF THE
desolate. Compassion was often felt for his loneliness ; his nephews,
one of them afterwards General Lord Airey, of Crimean fame, attempted
to share his solitude, but in vain. Then his one faithful servant,
Jeffrey, died. The recluse had succeeded in creating around him an
absolute void, for no account is taken of the birds of prey that hovered
about. Wellington, his first companion and last of his friends, was
borne to his tomb in the crypt of St. Paul's, amid all the magnificent
woe of a State funeral. Three months later poor Talbot also died. It
was the depth of winter and bitterly cold. In the progress of the
remains from London, where he died, to the quiet nook by the lake-
shore, the deceased lay all night, neglected and forsaken, in the barn
of a roadside inn. * * * What was the mystery in this lonely
man's life ? * * * Charlevoix's description of this Erie shore had
cast a spell upon him."
During the Talbot era the ways of the country were primitive
indeed. He maintained a peculiar rule. No one was considered by
him his equal, and the settlers who had gathered round his woodland
castle were as unfamiliar with him after forty years' acquaintanceship
as at its beginning. New men, however, came on the scene, and
innovations on feudal customs were spoken of. Men came to work
amid the forests — not to bow to another man. A new system was
gradually built up, and within a few years a body of independent
yeomen had their own society and constitutions without consulting the
hermit Colonel. Thomas Meek, the night turnkey of the county jail,
who came to reside in Port Stanley in 1818, relates "that during mid-
winter and Christmas time, he had often yoked in the oxen, and on a
rough ' bush-whacker ' sleigh, had taken half-a-dozen farmers' daugh-
ters and their sturdy sweethearts for a ride over the rough forest road.
These were occasions for the outburst of unusual hilarity, and the girls
laughed as loudly as their lungs permitted, without the slightest fear
of disturbing the nearest settler, several miles away. And if Jack
Chopper did squeeze Mary Baker, and perhaps get a ghilopejia on the
girl next to him, nobody talked about it, or thought any the less of
either John or Mary. In another cabin, that looked out upon nothing
but leafless trees, the old settler took down the thumb-marked family
Bible, and read the story of our Saviour's birth in the little Nazarene
village, but beyond this, necessity limited their festivities to the
minimum."
It is said that on account of the absence of the annual almanac,
some of the old settlers actually forgot the days of the month, and
either let Christmas slip by without knowing it, or celebrated the event
in the middle of December or away along in January. But who could
blame them if they did ? " Why, we didn't care a fig about the day
of the week or month," said this silver-locked old pioneer, " and the
wolves howled around the house as loudly on Christmas Eve as any
other night in the year. What we wanted was to get these big trees
out of the road, and then go in for fun and keeping track of dates
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
33
•afterwards. When London, or ' The Forks/ as it was then called,
had assumed all the importance of a village, parents, bent on the pur-
chase of some toy to fill the home-made stocking of the little girls and
boys, thronged the corner store and the Court House square with the
same enthusiasm that they crowd Dundas and Richmond streets to-day.
It was, in fact, a great night among the villagers, and, in Westminster
and London townships, was looked upon as the best time in the year
for a rollicking party. And those were parties of the real old brand,
too."
Squire Matthews, in his reference to London, states that Dennis
O'Brien kept a little low building where O'Mara Bros, had their pork
packery on West Dundas street, in 1881; while McGregor kept an
equally small tavern close by. Geo. Goodhue, about this time, had a
small store on the 1st Concession of Westminster ; and there was also
an ashery and dry goods store. Before those houses were established,
the settlers had to go to Five Stakes, near St. Thomas, to Hamilton's
store, on Kettle Creek, where he made them pay 75 cents per yard for
factory cloth. Wheat was only worth 37 J cents per bushel, and for
it they would receive goods or black salt, but no cash; there was no
cash. This black salt was made out of lye and ashes. Mr. Mat-
thews made tons of it, burning up log piles on purpose to obtain
ashes. This was hard work, but necessary to obtain cash, as cash was
necessary to buy leather and salt. When they had a barrel ready they
would start for Kettle Creek with wagon and oxen ; a trip that occupied
thirty hours then, if they did not camp out at night. Crossing the
Thames was a dangerous proceeding even then, and the Squire has
seen oxen, wagon, barrels and driver swimming that river.
Pioneer Mails. — Daniel Springer settled in Delaware in 1797,
and soon after was appointed postmaster, this being the only office
between Sandwich and Burford, or in a distance of 160 miles. In
1816, an office was established at McGregor's Creek, Chatham, with
Wm. McCrea, master. Two Frenchmen, the Souggnay brothers,
strong and very energetic men, carried the mail from Sandwich to
Toronto once a month, while Wm. McGuffin, a short Irishman,
-carried the mail from Delaware to Burford. Mail for Westminster or
London had to be called for at Delaware; but about 1825 mail
(newspaper) was left at Nathan Griffith's Hotel, in Westminster.
Prior to the establishment of the London office, Capt. Thomas
Lawrason kept the office in his small store, 120 rods east of the
bridge, on the London and Byron road ; then came Ira Scofield, who
was the first postmaster at London. John Harris filled the office
later during Goodhue's suspension. In these old times a payment of
six shillings was often demanded for the delivery of some loving
message from beyond the ocean, while smaller sums were charged for
letters from America, as the settlers then styled the United States.
The postmasters in 1831 were Charles Berczy, at Amherstburg ;
Joseph Defried, of Bayham; Geo. Goodhue, of London; John
34 HISTORY OF THE
Bostwick, of Port Stanley ; F. L Walsh, of Vittoria, and K. McKenny,.
of Yarmouth. The rates of postage were four and a-half pence, not
exceeding 60 miles; sevenpence, not exceeding 100; ninepence, not
exceeding 200, and twopence for every additional 100 miles.
In 1839, J. P. Bellairs was postmaster at Amiens, where one mail
was received every week ; J. K. McKnight, at Bayham ; W. Merigold,
at Beach ville ; W. Whitehead, at Burford ; Wilson Mills, at Delaware ;
Wm. Sparling, at Ekfrid: J. Matheson, at Embro; K. Brown, at
Kateville ; G. J. Goodhue, at London ; I. Adamson, at McGillivray ;
A. Meyer, at McKillop; N. Eagles, at Middletown; G. Gibbs, at
Mosa ; Thomas Wallace, at Norwich ; J. H. Cornell, at Otterville ; C.
Ingersoll, at Oxford ; John Burwell, at Port Burwell ; A. Jenkins, at
Port Dover; J. Bostwick, at Port Stanley; M. Burwell, at Port
Talbot; J. Cowan, at Princeton; E. Ermatinger, at St. Thomas; D.
Campbell, at Simcoe ; J. N. Daly, at Stratford ; Joseph Patterson, at
Tyrconnell ; Thomas Jenkins, at Vienna ; S. McCall, at Vittoria ; A.
McClellan, at Walsingham ; C. E. Nixon, at Warwick ; T. S. Short, at
Woodstock.
London Neighborhood in 1818. — Thomas Webster, writing from
Newbury, Dec. 5, 1878, speaks of London as he saw it sixty years
before, thus : — " In the summer and fall of 1818 the people commenced
crossing the river a half-mile below the Forks, by means of a canoe
kept by one Montague, or by fording when the water was low. The
travellers would halt at Montague's Flats, afterwards called Kent's
Flats (west of the North Branch), to refresh themselves and their
cattle. The forest along the banks had a grand and imposing appear-
ance, and especially so on a fine evening when the setting sun cast its
mellow rays on the deep green foliage of the trees on the elevated
landscape, or on the tinted leaves of every hue, in the fall of the
year. At such times the scene was grand beyond the powers of des-
cription. The writer sat down at his first London camp fire in com-
pany with his father's family and Thomas Belton, March 18, 1819, on
the lownlme between the Gore of London and Dorchester, nor far
north of where the Grand Trunk E. E. crosses the bridge at the Town-
line road I visited the Town plot in quest of game, and the Forks
i quest of fish. The ground on which the city is now built, was then
covered with a dense, dark forest ; north of Dundas street, and in some
ces south of it, was a thick pinery. Behind where the old barracks
were built, and on the rising land north of the old fair grounds, and off
the little stream, then called English's Creek, which runs into Lake
T'HWasfa he^v growth of oak, maple, and beech; while down
the direction of the railroad station was hard wood mixed with pine ;
more especially so to the east. In the vicinity of Strong's hotel was a
ri If?' SWai?P' rUnnlDf tOWard the old tanneries west of the
« H IY°m? Places the sma11 brush w°°d stood very
nnovina Z^S^S CreePers and vi^> often presenting a very
Qoymg obstruction to the eager hunter. Along the banks of both
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
35
rivers the wild plum, hawthorn, crab-apple, and grape, grew in abund-
ance. The waters were literally swarming with fish, and the eddies
were often covered with wild ducks. In the brush might be heard
the drumming of the partridge, the calls of the magnificent wild turkey,
or low breathing of the timid deer or less welcome growling of the
black bear, the screeching of the wild cat, the hooting of owls, and the
terrific howling of packs of ravenous wolves, whose unharmonious
chorus frequently made night hideous. The Indians in large numbers
used to encamp at the forks of the river. They navigated the rivers
with their bark canoes, and roamed through the forest. London and
its surroundings was then and had been for generations, the Indian's
favorite hunting ground ; but a change was at hand. The poor red-
man and his family had now about nine years grace. The white man
was to come with his axe, and the forest about the Forks, as well as
at other places, was to melt away like snow ; the game to depart, and
the whole scene to change. Long lines of buildings now raise their
stately fronts where then stood the wigwam, and where the primeval
forest then towered; busy men and women with pale faces now
traverse the streets. There the Indian then tracked his game through
the deep woods amid silence and solitude ; but now he, too, like the
deer, has nearly vanished from the land."
The Court House and Gaol, at Vittoria, near Long Point, having
been destroyed by fire, it was thought desirable that the new buildings
should be erected in a more central position. The district was very
large. London being nearly the central point between its eastern and
western boundaries, a struggle for the location of the new buildings
here commenced. Mayor Schofied, Edward Allan, Talbot and others
pushed the claims of London, and won. A considerable portion of
the town plot, at the forks, was immediately surveyed into half acre
lots, to be granted free to all mechanics who would clear off the lot,
and erect thereon a frame house 18x24 feet, one and a-half story
high. Mr. McGregor put up the first housB; others followed, and
within a few weeks a small frame house was built, for court-room and
prison, and the first court held therein in January, 1827.
A Wolf Story. — In other pages reference is made to the hunting
exploits of Abraham Patrick, and other pioneers, as well as to the
Indian hunters. Here, however, is given a quaint story of an
adventure with a wolf; by men who were not hunters, and knew
comparatively little of the wild animals which then inhabited the
forests. Hiram Dell tells the following story : — " I caught another
very large wolf about half a mile back in the woods, and he brought
the trap clear up to the barn, but being unable to climb the fence, he
sought shelter under a log-heap, where I found him. I called to a
neighbor to bring his trap and dogs, as I had a wolf in a log-heap. He
and other neighbors, with their wives, were soon on the ground to see
the fun. One neighbor set his trap, and, crawling into the log heap,
placed it on one of the wolfs feet ; then the animal was drawn out.
'
36 HISTORY OF THE
The dogs attacked him, and it would have done you good to see the
fur fly. When the wolf had one dog down the other two were on his
back. He would then let the under dog go, and take another one
down ; still, the dogs had the advantage, as there were three of them,
and the wolf had two traps attached to him. After awhile the wolf
laid down, and when the dogs would come near he would snap at
them. My neighbor said, ' I will soon fix him so he cannot bite the
dogs !' and, getting a stick, placed it on the wolfs neck, so as to give
the dogs a chance to take him by the throat. In doing this the stick
broke, and the neighbor fell with his head on the wolfs head. Both
were terrified. The neighbor's wife's scream scared the wolf, and,
perhaps, the husband, for he made the fastest move in getting away
he was ever known to make in his life. I ultimately shot the
animal, which stood three feet high, and weighed over one hundred
pounds."
Colored Settlers and Visitors. — The Wilberforce Colored Colony
was located. near Lucan, in the thirties, by friendly Quakers of Ohio,
and thenceforward Canada became the Mecca of the slaves. The settle-
ment of refugee slaves along the Thames, from London to Lake St. Glair,
dates back to 1849, when the underground railroad was first conceived in
the United States. Between the years 1856 and 1859, this remarkable
railroad, without rails, conducted large numbers of negroes into this
western district. It is related that in January, 1859, the famous John
Brown set out for Canada with twelve refugee slaves, and on March 12,
that year, arrived here with them, three or four of whom reside still
along the Thames. During the trip from Missouri, the famous
abolitionist had many adventures, one of which, known as "The
Battle of the Spurs," gave Brown a decisive victory.
A Refugee Chapel and Alms House were established at London by
the Colonial Society, of which the Rev. I. Hellmuth had charge, and
by other methods the plan of driving the States to civil war was for-
warded here ; while the refugees were fairly treated.
John Brown at London. — In May, 1858, John Brown, with his
abolition lieutenants, T. H. Kagi and A. D. Stevens, resided in
€anada, passing their leisure hours at London or Hamilton, and their
working hours at Chatham,— drafting the constitution of their pro-
posed provisional government for the United States. Toward the
close of the month, an abolitionist, then in Congress, advised Brown
that his plans were all exposed, and he at once returned to Kansas.
About this time, Pat Devlin, of Missouri, applied the term Jayhawks
to Brown and his ^ followers, and the name soon came into general use.
Early Marriage Laws.— Among the aborigines, prior to the
coming of the French, and among the tribes which did not at once
become associated with the religion of the great missionary fathers,
marriage was a simple affair— the dusky maiden flying to the wigwam
oi her lover from her parent's lodge. Wherever the Recollet or the
Jesuit had established a Mission, the case was changed, for both the
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
37
red and white people within range felt the necessity of religious
ceremony. In July, 1620, the first marriage ceremony, that of
Guillaume Couillard, to Guillmet Hebert, was recorded in the first
register of the first French Parish. On Oct. 7, 1 637, Jean Nicolet
married Marguerite Couillard, at Qiiebec, a daughter of said Guillaume
and Guillmet Couillard.
In later years, when the British obtained power here, the
regimental chaplain was looked upon by the troops and Protestant
settlers as the proper person to administer the ceremony; but the
chaplain was not often present, and so the duty devolved on one of
the officers of the garrison. This was the rule at the Niagara Post,
and, indeed, wherever the British troops formed a garrison. Simcoe's
Parliament, held at Newark (Niagara), in 1793, took cognizance of
this state of affairs, and passed a law to validate all such marriages.
At this time there was not one Protestant clergyman (in what is now
Ontario), so that this act confirmed all marriages performed by
magistrates, colonels, adjutants, or regimental surgeons. At this time,
also, persons living farther away than eighteen miles from a Church of
England minister, were permitted to apply to a neighboring Justice of
the Peace, who would, for a one shilling fee, give public notice of the
intended marriage, and then unite the couple according to Church of
England form. In 1798, ministers of the Church of Scotland,
Lutheran or Calvinist Church, were allowed to celebrate. Such
ministers were bound to appear before six magistrates to prove their
ordination, and take the oath of allegiance, before they could solemnize
marriage, and were further required to have one of the parties to the
marriage prove that he or she was a member of his particular church
for six months prior to date set for the marriage ceremony. This act,
as well as that of 1793, provided for the record of all marriages with
the Clerk of the Peace ; but evidently made the Church of England
its own recorder. In 1821, marrying without the publication of
banns, was made a criminal offence.
In 1831 another act was approved, providing for the confirmation
of marriages performed up to that time by magistrates, military officers
or clergymen, who acted under authority of the former acts. The early
system is fairly exemplified by 'the following formal document, bearing
date April 8, 1823, which tells the interesting little legend : — " Whereas
Alphonso McKnight, of the Township of Woodham, and Margaret
Staiidon, of the Township of Middleton, are desirous of intermarrying
with each other, and there being no parson or minister of the church
within eighteen miles, &c., &c., I declare them legally joined, &c."
An account of the marriage of Thomas Carling, affords another
good example of the legal requirements of pioneer time. In October,
1820, this settler introduced to his new home, Margaret, daughter of
Thomas Eoutledge, of the same township as his wife. Previous to
the consummation of this interesting ceremony, notice of a novel
character had been given. There were no marriage licenses readily
I
38 HISTORY OF THE
obtainable in these days, and the bond was written on paper and
tacked to a tree by the roadside. This was rendered necessary in
consequence of the absence of ministers of the Gospel, and the rite was
performed by Col. Burwell, J. P., and Squire Springer, of Delaware.
The marriage thus recorded is said to have been the first of any two
white persons in the Township of London, north of the Thames. The
identical beech tree on which the notice of the bond of union between
Thomas Carling and Margaret Eoutledge was tacked, still stands on
Lot 20, or what is generally known as Quaker Wright's Hill, in London
Township.
Prior to 1831, the Church of England and Church of Scotland
ministers, with Lutheran and Calvinist ministers (the latter only foi
a few years), were the only clergymen who could legally celebrate
marriage in Upper Canada. In that year the privilege was extended
to Presbyterians, Baptists, Congregationalists, Methodists, Menonites,
Tunkers, Moravians, and Independents, so that the great reservation
of the Church of England was, so to speak, parcelled out among dis-
senting bodies. It must be remembered, however, that under treaty
rights, the Catholic missionaries and secular priests could administer the
sacrament of matrimony in their districts. During the days of religious
intolerance, Elder Eyan, Eev. S. B. Smith, and Elder Sawyer, all
Methodists, were accused of marrying persons without legislative
authority, and so fled the country or were tried for the misdemeanor.
In July, 1818, a Methodist Irishman named Henry Eyan, was indicted
for marrying Benj. Davis and Hannah McPherson, without first having
obtained permission from the English Church authorities. This crime
was such a serious matter seventy years ago, that the "gentlemen
magistrates " sent the unfortunate preacher to jail to await the judg-
ment of the Assize Court.
On May 31, 1814, five persons were appointed to issue marriage
licenses for Upper Canada. The agents for issuing marriage licenses
in 1839 in the Western Peninsula were John Harris, of London;
Wm. Cosgrove, of Chatham; John Burwell, of Port Burwell;
Murdock McKenzie, of St. Thomas, and Alex. Wilkinson, of Sandwich.
The Moravians of early days never selected a wife— no chance was
given them. God was their great designer, and to him they left the
The manner in which their God made the selection was crude
indeed. One of the missionaries brought forth a cylindrical tin case ;
this he placed bark or paper slips, with the names of all the male
jandidates for matrimony. Another missionary brought forth a similar
tin case in which were tickets, each bearing the name of a marriage-
able girl. Number one case would be thoroughly shaken up, when the
missionary would extract a ticket and read the name aloud. Number
two case was similarly treated and the girl's name called out; both
ckets would then be examined and witnessed, the nuptials proclaimed
and the wedding banquet spread.
The Eoger Bates' memoir, in the Dominion Library, brings up
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 39
memories of old-time marriages. "The mode of courting in those
days," says he, " was a good deal of the Indian fashion. The buxom
daughter would run through the trees and bushes, and pretend to get
away from the lover ; but somehow or other he managed to catch her,
gave her a kiss; and they soon got married, I rather think, by a
magistrate. Time was too valuable to make a fuss about such matters.
In preparing for the journey to the magistrate's house or cabin, they
generally furnished themselves with tomahawks and implements to
defend themselves, and to camp out, if required. The ladies had no
white dresses to spoil, or fancy bonnets. With deer skin petticoats,
homespun gowns, and, perhaps, squirrel skin bonnets, they looked
charming in the eyes of their lovers, who were rigged out in similar
materials. I have heard my mother say, that a magistrate, rather
than disappoint a happy couple who had walked twenty miles, made
search throughout the house, and luckily found a pair of old English
skates, to which was attached a ring. With this he proceeded, and
fixing the ring on the young woman's finger, reminded her, that,
though a homely substitute, she must continue to wear it, otherwise
the ceremony would be dissolved."
Pioneer Cabins. — The log cabins of the pioneers were designed by
circumstances. The first builders of such cabins in Ontario were exiles
from the New Eepublic, who knew all about such structures ; for then,
in the North Atlantic States, cabins were the rule rather than the
exception. They were raised by members of the family, and usually
all the adult males of a settlement would be present to assist in adding
another home to the few in the wilderness.
How natural to turn our thoughts back to the log-cabin days of
this section, and contrast with the present. Let us enter this cabin
dwelling. With reverence we bow the head in presence of this relic
of ancestral beginnings and pioneer battles with the wilderness. There
is the wide hearth, with back-log remains, in whose deep recess a school
might play hide-and-go-seek and count the stars through a chimney, as
through a great telescope. Ah, long ago, how many sat 'round the
cheerful fire listening in awe to the communal story-teller as he spoke
of ghosts and giants, and wise-men and witches, and to the visiting
hunter, whose tales of wolf, and bear, and Indian, would make the
listening family hold their breath and their hair stand out like porcu-
pine quills. There, hanging on the old crane, is the tea kettle, and the
pot of all work. The shovel and tongs stand in their accustomed
places, and the andirons are still there ; above hangs the rifle ; here is
the spinning wheel ; there is the loom, a pine table white as snow, a
dresser with rows of pewter plates, some wooden cups and relics of a
long list of china ware, strings of dried apples and poles of drying
pumpkins, with a few puncheon seats complete the main hall. In a
curtained corner is mother's bed ; while a rude ladder leads up to an
NOTE.— The early marriage record, instructive on account of the number of names and
dates given, has been separated from this chapter, and appears elsewhere in this volume.
40
HISTORY OF THE
attic where the children sleep. Hail ! old cabin ; never again shall
such happiness exist as blessed your builders and sustained them in
the wilderness. Many of those spirits, who led the way to teeming
wealth and sunny prosperity, though dead, live again. Many of the
dramatis personce of the prelude have disappeared ; but the drama is
still on the stage, and will appear thereon until humanity ceases to
exist ; when the heavens refuse light. The actors, singers, columbines,
and spirits of the past are playing on far away boards ; but their songs
and acts are repeated by others, and out of the darkness new foot-lights
are advanced, new shades, new scenery, new dress — all things new.
But the hard hands that prepared the way for fruitful fields, for cities
and towns, and churches and schools, and all other evidences of pro-
nounced progress, are folded away in mother earth, leaving us in pos-
session of material wealth, and teaching us the lesson when, where and
how civilization was introduced into this wilderness.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
CHAPTER IV.
ESTABLISHMENT OF CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
In this chapter the story of the beginning of the various churches,,
now represented in the county, is told, and their establishment
sketched, leaving the history of their progress to be given in that of
the townships, cities or incorporated towns, where such organizations
exist to-day. In a civilized country the Church is generally
contemporary with settlements, and for this reason the chapter holds
the next place to that dealing with the first occupation of this district
by white people.
The Catlwlic Church — The Catholic Church in Upper Canada dates
back to 1615, when four missionaries came with Champlain. One, at
least, was a Recollet priest, Rev. Joseph Le Caron, and he it was, who,
in 1615-16, accompanied the Governor in his tour round Canada, via
the Ottawa, Nippissing, Georgian Bay, and the chain of lakes and
rivers, from Lake Huron to the St. Lawrence, via Lake Simcoe. He
is said to have established a Mission near the foot of Lake Huron.
Eight years after, Father Nicholas Veil and Brother Gabriel Sagard
traversed the same district, and in 1634 the Jesuit fathers, Breboeuf
and Daniel, established a Mission on Lake Huron shore among the
Hurons, with whom they travelled from Quebec, where the Hures
were visiting. The Abbe D'Urfe and venerable Dolliere de Kleus, of
the Seminary of St. Sulpice, established their Mission at the Bay of
Quinte about this time, and still later, the Chapel on Lake Huron,,
where la Riviere Aux Saubles was founded, and, it is said, another at
the Straits, just north of Sarnia, about the time Fort St. Joseph was
established, where the village of Fort Gratiot now stands. In June,
1G71, De Courcelles sent messages to the Indian Missions in Ontario
advising them of his approach, and in 1673, Frontenac was received
by the Abbe D'Urfe, and the chiefs of the Five Nations, at the Bay
of Quinte.
In the second decade of this country, Edourd Petit, of Black River,
discovered the ruins of an ancient building on the Riviere Aux Saubles,
about forty miles from Sarnia. Pacing the size, he found it to have
been 40x24 feet on the ground. On the middle of the south or gable
end, was a chimney eighteen feet high, in excellent preservation, built
of stone, with an open fire-place. The fire-place had sunk below the
surface. This ruin had a garden surrounding it, ten or twelve rods,
wide by twenty rods in length, marked by ditches and alleys Inside
the walls of the house a splendid oak had grown to be three feet in
diameter, with a stem sixty feet high to the first branch. It seemed
to be of second growth, and must have been 150 years reaching its.
I
42 HISTORY OF THE
proportions, as seen in 1828-9. Onicknick, an aged Saguenay chief
(84 years old), told Petit that a white man built the house at the time
his great-great-great-great grandfather lived, and that white people
lived then in all the country around, who sold every article for a
peminick or dollar. Onicknick also stated that the men were not
French ; but beyond this, he could not give any testimony more than
the ruin conveyed.*
On the Wye Kiver, north of Penetanguishene, at old Michili-
mackinack and other places, permanent or temporary missions had
been established prior to the beginning of the eighteenth century ;
while the great mission at Ogdensburg or Soegasti was established in
1748 by Abbe Picquet, "The Apostle of the Iroquois."
Early in the eighteenth century can be found traces of regularly
appointed Catholic missioners among the Otchipwas and white settlers
along both banks of the St. Glair River, over a century after the
Reverends Dollier and Galivree visited the locality — 1670-1, who are
said to have made a stay at the Champlain Mission opposite Fort
Gratiot, or in that vicinity. In 1786, Nelson Roberts, who visited the
Red River country that year, reported having seen a priest among the
Indians of the Black River and St. Glair, and recorded this report on
liis return to Montreal. Assistant Surgeon Taylor, U. S. A., writing
in 1871, from Fort Gratiot, says:— "The location of the Recollet
mission in this vicinity is uncertain. According to Bell's History of
Canada^ it was an important one, and known as Ste. Marie. As the
Jesuits had one also of the same name located among the Hurons at
the head of Georgian Bay, it would seem that some confusion has
arisen in relation to these missions, both as to their importance and
position. Judge Campbell is of the opinion that the Recollet mission
was located on the present site of Sarnia."
In 1728, the Mission at Pointe de Montreal was founded by Pere
de la Richardie. Prior to this date, for twenty-six years, the Mission
of St. Anne, at Detroit, existed. In 1733, a church building was
•erected at Sandwich, but within the succeeding decade another °house
was erected on Bois Blanc, sixteen miles down the river, with Pere
Potier in charge; but in 1747, the founder of the Mission, at Pointe
de Montreal, returned, and rebuilt the Church of 1733. In 1757 he
accompanied a band of Hurons to their selected huntin^ grounds in
the neighborhood of where Tiffin, 0, now stands; but the following
year settled among the Illinois, in which nation he died in 1758 The
present church of Sandwich dates back to 1760, when the Mission was
established. Father Potier, who resumed charge in 1757 of the
•on Church continued pastor there until his death in 1781. Father
Hubert succeeded, who served this Parish and that of St. Anne's until
i/»», witn father Frechette assisting. About 1789 Rev F X
b^^vtfSS^'S^^^^*? with due allowance forerror. The
•sionaries or adventurers. Onickr :k w** mM^f.^% ^i161^6?' except French mis-
MARQUETTE'S MAP.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
45
Dufaux was appointed pastor, and served until his death, Sept. 12,
1796. Other priests succeeded. In 1803, the Parish of St. Peter, on
the Thames, and one at Maiden, were established, with which the
names of Rev. T. B. Marchant and his assistant priests, with those
of Pere Badin and Father Angus MacDonnell, were connected for
many years. In 1820, Father Besrinquet arrived from Quebec, and
erected a small church building on Walpole Island. On his leaving
for the Lake Superior county, Father Sagelle was appointed, and in
1833, the celebrated Austrian, Father Vizoiski, took his place.
The founder of the English-speaking congregations in Ontario was
a man of rare power, physically and mentally. His life is a part of
the history of the Dominion, and for that reason a synopsis of it is
given here. Bishop Alexander McDonnell was born in Glengary,
Scotland, in 1760. In his youth it was a penal offence to attend a
Catholic school, even as it was to preside over or support one, so that
his classical education had to be obtained at Valladolid, Spain. In
1790, he returned to his native country with the order of priesthood,
and went to work to re-establish the proscribed religion among his
people in the northern Parish of Badenoch, and in the city of Glasgow.
That the law and narrow bigotry of those days countenanced this
action, is the greatest testimonial to his zeal and accomplishments.
This Scottish priest joined Lord McDonnell's regiment of Glengary
Fencibles, and served against the patriots, winning victories by
'Christian methods, and saving the desperate people from cruelties,
such as other regiments inflicted. Through his influence this Catholic
regiment was recruited in Scotland, and the second Glengary Fencible
Regiment was raised in Canada to repel the American invasion in
1812. Bishop McDonnell came to Canada as a priest in 1804, was
consecrated Bishop of Kingston in 1822, and died in Dumfriesshire,
Scotland, in 1840. His body laid in St. Mary's Church, Edinburgh,
until 1862. when it was brought to Kingston, where it rests in the
Cathedral. In 1804, there were only two Catholic priests in Ontario,
one of whom deserted his mission that year, and the other would not
leave his district of Sandwich, so that, in fact, the great Bishop at one
time travelled throughout Ontario visiting his co-religionists, among
whom were many U. E. Loyalists.
The Catholic Church clergy of 1831, were Rev. Joseph Fluett, of
Amherstburg, and Rev. Joseph Crevier, of Sandwich and Rochester.
The venerable Bishop McDonnell, of Glengary, is said to have visited
the London district once or twice during this year. The Catholic clergy
in London and Western district in 1839, were Rev. M. R. Mills, of
London; Edmund Yvelin, of Sandwich, and Augustin Vervais, of
Amherstburg. In 1843-56 the Jesuit fathers, Point, Choue, Duvan-
quet, Chazelle, Jaffre, Menet, Tevard, Grunot, Mainguy, and Conil-
leau, attended this large mission field, and after them came the bishops
and priests who have built up a great diocese of over one hundred
•churches.
46 HISTORY OF THE
The history of the Church within the County of Middlesex dates
back to 1833-4, when the old log house of worship was erected on the
corner of Richmond and Maple streets, and dedicated by Father
Downie, of St. Thomas, in 1834. For a decade the Catholic people of
London were visited by priests from Toronto, St. Peter or Sandwich,
such as Father Schneider, the Apostle of the Huron nation.
Rev. M. E. Mills was appointed pastor of St. Thomas, June 6, 1843,
his district embracing the townships of Yarmouth, Southwold, Mala-
hide, and territory adjacent on the east as well as other parts of the
Diocese of Toronto, to which pastors were not appointed. In September
Bishop Power visited St. Thomas and London, and on the 20th extended
the former mission so as to include concessions 7, 8, and 9, of West-
minster. In December, 1844 Father Mills was appointed to attend the
townships of Westminster and London, this appointment being made
about one year after the Bishop's visit. In 1847 is found the name
of Rev. P. O'Dwyer; in 1849 that of Rev. John Carroll, and on April
19, 1849, of Rev. Thadeus Kirwan. On June 29, 1851, Bishop De
Charbonnel, of Toronto, confirmed 130 persons at London, and 85 at
the church of St. Lawrence. In 1854, Rev. P. Crinnon presided over
the parish. Rev. Mr. Carroll, named above, was, in 1885, the oldest
priest in the United States. He was bom in Maryborough, Ireland,
June 30, 1798 ; came to America in 1817 ; was ordained at Quebec
by Bishop Edmund Burke, June 29, 1820, and served the Church
in Canada until 1869, when he was removed to Chicago, 111.
The Diocese of London was erected February 21, 1856, and on the
29th day of that month the Papal Bulls were addressed to the Rev.
Peter Adolphus Pinsonneault, Priest of the Society of St. Sulpice,
Montreal, naming him first Bishop of the new See. Bishop Pinsonneault
was born in the year 1815, and made his studies in the College of
Montreal. There also he took the ecclesiastical habit, but proceeded to
Paris to complete his theological studies. It was in that city that he
was raised to the priesthood in 1840. Returning to America soon
after his ordination, he served the Church for many years in Montreal,
and was consecrated there May 18th, Trim'ty Sunday, 1856, and was
installed Bishop of London June 29th following, the record being
signed by Armandus, F. M., Bishop of Toronto ; John, Bishop of
Hamilton ; T. T. Kirwan ; Edward Bayard ; Louis Musard.
The new bishop found little in the London Town of 1856 with
which to be satisfied, and so urged the Church authorities to transfer
the Episcopal See to Sandwich, and a brief agreeable to his views was
issued February 2, 1859. For some months prior to this date Bishop
Pinsonneault was visiting in Europe—Bishop FarreU, of Hamilton,
being Administrator from September 19, 1858, to the spring of 1859.
In May, 1857, the title of Vicar-General was conferred on Rev. P.
Point, Superior of the Jesuits of Sandwich, and on Revs. J. M.
Soulerm and J. M. Bruyere, of Toronto. When Bishop Pinsonneault
retired in 1867, the latter was appointed Administrator ~of the Diocese,
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
47
which position he filled until the installation of Bishop Walsh at
Sandwich, November 14, that year. The official record of that cere-
mony of installation bears the signatures of the Bishops of Hamilton
and Kingston, and of Geo. Baby, Mayor of Sandwich, besides those of
the following clergy: — J. M. Bruyere, V. G, Sandwich; J. F. Jamot,
V. G., Toronto ; Conilleau, S. J. ; "Michel, S. J. ; Dean Crinnon, P. D.
Laurent, Amherstburg ; B. G. Soffers, St. Anne's, Detroit ; G. Limpens,
Detroit; E. Ouellette, Director College of St. Hyacinths; E. B. Kilroy,
Sarnia ; James Farrelly, Belleville ; F. P. Eooney, Toronto, and Jos,
Bayard, of Sandwich.
In January, 1868, the new bishop removed the Episcopal resi-
dence from Sandwich to London, and on the 15th of November,.
1869, procured from the Propaganda a decree making London once
more the Episcopal See of the Diocese. Bishop Walsh was on his-
accession to the See of Sandwich confronted with many grave diffi-
culties. The Diocese was involved in debt to the extent of $40,000,.
for which enormous liability little or nothing could be shown. What
resulted ? From 1867 to 1885 no less a sum than $952,798 was-
raised for Diocesan purposes ; since increased to over $1,500,000,
Throughout the Diocese church buildings, worthy of Him to Whom
they are dedicated, are to be seen on every side ; while in the centre-
rises a temple that would do credit to a city of one million of people.
Eeferring to Father Coffey's sketch of the Catholic Church of London,
published in 1885, Eev. E. E. Stimson, of the English Church of
Toronto, in his " History of the Separation of Church and State in
Canada," says : — " From it can be obtained a very fair apprehension of
the progress made by Catholics in this part of Canada, unaided by any-
thing but fidelity to their cause, and willing, faithful hearts. Contrast
the past with the present — voluntaryism, with the endowed pulpit from
which have proceeded warnings since it first received preachers !" The
history of the churches, orphanages, hospitals, convent schools and
colleges of this Diocese would make a large volume, reading like
romance, while real beyond measure.
English Church in Canada. — The first clergyman of the English
Church was Eev. John Ogilvie, D. D., a British army chaplain, who
accompanied his regiment to Fort Niagara in 1759, when the French
lost that position. He died in 1774 while pastor of Trinity Church,
N. Y., and was followed in Canada by Eev. John Doughty, in 1777,
immediately after the English Churches in the American colonies were
closed by the American authorities. He was missionary at Sorel in
1784, having previously served in Canada as Chaplain of the King's
Eoyal Eegiment of New York.
The first Protestant clergyman, who can lay claim to the title of
being a resident pastor, was the Eev. John Stuart, a son of one of the
early Irish settlers, of Harrisburg, Pa. Although his two brothers
joined the American army, Mr. Stuart sympathized with the British,
and so thought it prudent to leave the States. In September, 1781,
48 HISTORY OF THE
he was in New Brunswick, and in 1783, at Montreal, and in 1785, at
Cataraqui. In 1789 he was appointed Bishop's Commissionary, for
what is now Ontario. His death took place in 1811, at Kingston,
Canada.
Rev. Robert Addison came in 1790, as a missionary from the
Society for Propagating the Gospel. He was army chaplain for a
short time at Niagara, and a visitor among the Grand River Indians.
Added to this, he speculated in lands, and for thirty years, prior to
1823, was Chaplain of Parliament. Rev. Mr. Pollard came in 1791,
and later, Rev. J. Langhorn, who returned to England at the beginning
of the troubles of 1812, so as to escape the Americans, of whose
"blood-thirsty disposition" he entertained strange ideas. The first
English Protestant Church was erected at Kingston in 1793. In
1792, however, the Protestants and Catholics worshipped in turn in
Navy Hall, or the Council Chamber there. The second English
Church building in Ontario was that at Belleville, 1819-20, presided
over by Mr. Campbell, which was used up to 1858. Rev. John
Cochrane and Rev. John Grier may be named among the old pastors
of that old church. In 1793, Rev. Dr. Jehosaphat Mountain was
sent out from England as first Protestant Bishop of all Canada, with
his See at Quebec. At that time his church claimed but five
clergymen in the whole of British North America.
The ministers of the Church of England, in London district, in
1831, were Rev. M. Burnham, St. Thomas; Rev. F. Evans, Wood-
house, and Rev. E. J. Boswell, London. In the Western District were
Rev. R. Rolph, of Amherstburg ; Wm. Johnson, of Sandwich, and T.
Morley of Chatham. In 1832, Rev. Benj. Crony n was appointed
Rector of St. Paul's, London, while Rev. D. E. Blake was placed in
charge of the Adelaide Church, the congregation there being formed
that year. On July 12, 1836, a letter from the Governor's Secretary
informed the magistrates that five ministers of the Church were then
established in the district.
Rev. Mr. Macintosh, the first English Church minister in this
vicinity, presided at Kettle Creek or St. Thomas, and, in early years,
held services in Wm. Geary's barn on Lot 14, Con. 5, London, whose
wife, Miss Jones, herself the daughter of an Irish Protestant minister,
was always ready to welcome such gospel messengers. In 1829, Rev!
£. N. Boswell came to take charge of London, and established St
Paul's parish.
Under date January 16, 1830, Mahlon Burwell writes to Rev
Edward J. Boswell, minister of London :— " The receipt of your favor
respecting the want of a house in which to perform Divine service
and requesting permission to use the Court-room, is acknowledged'
The magistrates instruct me to inform you that, as the Court-house is
the property of the district, erected for the only purpose of accommo-
dating His Majesty's Courts of Law in the administration of justice
they do not conceive that they possess the right of granting vou your*
request.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
49
In April, 1831, the Court granted permission to Eev. Mr. Boswell
to hold Divine service in the house intended for a public school house
at London; later the order was rescinded. In 1832, Eev. Benj.
Cronyn was appointed Eector, and in 1835 a small frame church was
built near the present custom-house. This was burned in 1844, and a
new building soon took its place.
The ministers of the Church of England in London District, in
1839, were Win. Betteridge, of Woodstock ; D. Blake, of Adelaide ;
M. Burnham, of St. Thomas ; Benj. Cronyn, of London ; Eichard
Hood, of Caradoc ; T. Petrie, travelling missionary ; John Eadcliffe,
of Warwick ; J. Eothwell, of Ingersoll. In the Western District were
J. 0'Meara; of Sault Ste. Marie; Hugh H. O'Neil, travelling
missionary ; T. B. Fuller, Chatham ; Fred. Mack, Amherstburgh.
The Anglican Churches of 1842-3 were St. Anne's Kateville, and
tenth concession buildings in Adelaide, the Caradoc Church, the
Delaware Church, St. Paul's at London, St. John's in London Town-
ship at Arva, and the church at Strathroy.
In the report of the Church Society of the Diocese of Toronto,
made in 1842-3, it is written that the donations of land in the London
District to the Church amounted to 1,877 acres, of which J. B. Askin
gave 46; H. L. Askin, 35; Col. M. Burwell, 1,096; Eev. Benja-
min Cronyn, James Givens, G. J. Goodhue, L. Lawrason and John
Williams, 100 acres each, and T. Phillips, 200 acres. Penny's grant
of 100 acres to the Church at Wardsville and smaller grants in West-
minster and London Townships are unnoticed.
Eev. Benjamin Cronyn, speaking July 17, 1851, on the prosperity
of holding land for church purposes, said : — "It did not send him into
a man's vineyard to steal his grapes, or a man's farmyard to milk his
cows." Eev. J. Winterbotham, in reply, pointed out that church lands
were not always used for the purposes granted, and said : — " I refer
now to my brother from London, who managed to get an act passed
through the Provincial Parliament for the sale of his glebe there. I
asked him whether $2,500 was not realized by the sale of that glebe.
When a transaction of this nature is seen to take place openly, * * *
is thus made a matter of speculative sale to feed the grasping avarice
of those who claim credit for great disinterestedness, then it is time for
Parliament to interpose." In 1853 the British Parliament authorized
the Canadian Parliament to vary, or repeal the provisions of the Eeserve
Fund, and apply the proceeds to any purpose, but not to reduce the
annual salaries, then paid to ministers of the English and Scotch
churches, during their lives. This permission drew from " The Lord
Bishop, Clergy and Lay Delegates of the United Church of England
and Ireland, in the Province of Canada West, in Synod assembled at
Toronto, Oct. 26, 1854," a strong protest, but the Canadians over-
looked this and an act was passed in accordance with the British act,
and, in 1855, the Lord Bishop Strachan asked his ministers to com-
mit their claims to the Clergy Eeserve Funds. John Hillyard Cameron
^
50 HISTORY OF THE
was "iven power of attorney, by several of such clergymen, to commit
their°claims, and in March, 1855, his list of clergy and amount to be
paid each was approved by Bishop Strachan. In this list the names
of Revs. D. E. Blake, Michael Boomer, C. C. Brough, A. St. G. Caul-
field, H. G. Cooper, Ben. Cronyn, R. Flood, John Kennedy, W. Logan,
J. W. Marsh, T. W. Marsh, A. Mortimer, A. Lampman, all connected
with Middlesex, occur. The commutation moneys paid to the clergy
of the Diocese of Huron in 1855, exclusive of Messrs. Blake and others
who were not here then, amounted to $219,685.52, and this payment
did not incapacitate any of them from earning the same, or large annual
salary, from their congregations.
The first report of the Incorporated Church Society of the Diocese
of Huron, was presented June 22, 1859. In 1857 the western division
of the Diocese of- Toronto was so far endowed and preparations for the
organization of a new diocese so far proceeded with, that the Governor-
General approved the election of a Bishop ; and in July of that year,
Rev. Benj. Cronyn was chosen and consecrated October 28, 1857. In
1858, Hon. M. Foley, M. P., was entrusted with the Bill of Incor-
poration, to carry it through the House of the Assembly ; while G. J.
Goodhue introduced it in the Legislative Council. Success waited on
their efforts, and on July 24, 1858, the Diocese was incorporated.
Bishop Benj. Cronyn, son of John Cronyn, of Kilkenny City, Ireland,
was born there in 1802 ; he won the degree of B. A. at Trinity College,
Dublin, in 1821, and of M. A. in 1824, together with the Regius Pro-
fessors' prize of that year. In 1825 he was created Deacon, and in
1826 was ordained at Quam, Ireland. After a six years' curacy in
Longford County, where he married Miss Bickerstaff, of Lislea, he
came to Canada in 1832, and was appointed Rector of St. Paul's,
London. In 1857, Huron Diocese was established with Rev. Mr.
Cronyn, first Bishop. His death took place here September 22, 1871.
Among the clergy of 1878, who were in the Diocese at that time,
were the following named, the date of their connection with church
work in the old Diocese of Toronto, and their stations being given : —
Wm. Bettridge, B.D. (Canon), 1834, Strathroy; M. Boomer,
LL.D. (Dean), 1840, London; St. G. Caulfield, LL.D. (Canon), 1848,
Windsor; F. Gore Elliott, 1837, Sandwich; E. L. Elwood, A.M.
(Archdeacon), 1849, Goderich; E. Grasett, M.A. (Canon), 1848,
Simcoe; Andrew Jamieson, 1842, Walpole Island; John Kennedy,
M.A, 1848, Adelaide; F. Mack, 1839, St. Catharines; J. W. Marsh,
M.A. (Archdeacon), 1849, London; A. H. R. Mulholland (R. D.),
1849, Owen Sound; A Nelles (Canon, R. D.), 1829, Brantford; J.
Padfield (superannuated), 1833, Burford; E. Patterson, M.A. (R. D.),
1849, Stratford; F. W. Sandys, D.D. (Archdeacon), 1845, Chatham;
G J. R. Salter, M.A. (Canon), 1847, Brantford; J. Smythe, M.A.,
1854, Shelburne; A. Townley, D.D. (Canon), 1840, Hamilton.
Among the members at this time were H. C. R. Becher, G. J.
Goodhue, L. Lawrason, C. Monserrat, John Wilson, Dr. H. Going,
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
51
Eev. E. Gordon, Dr. A. Harpur, Eev. T. Hughes, Dr. Phillips, James
Stephenson, Eev. J. McLean (curate), W. Watson, S. Peters and J.
Hamilton. Eev. E. Gordon, named above, presided over the Fugitive
Mission, in London City, on the Colored People's Mission in 1858 ;
but he was not here twenty years later when the above list of clergy
was compiled.
Bishop Hellmuth was ordained a minister in 1846, created Arch-
deacon of Huron in 1861, Dean in 1867, Coadjutor-Bishop of Norfolk
in 1871, and Bishop of Huron the same year, to succeed Bishop
Cronyn.
On November 30, 1883, Very Eev. Maurice S. Baldwin, Dean of
Montreal, was consecrated Bishop of Huron.
The Diocese comprises 235 congregations, attended by 123 min-
isters. Of the numbers given 42 and 25 are respectively credited to
Middlesex County.
Presbyterian Church. — Eev. John Bethune, a native of Scotland,
and a minister of the Church of Scotland, who settled at Cornwall,
Can., about 1780-1, was the second legal clergyman of any Protestant
denomination who settled in Canada. He died at Williamstown,
September 23, 1815. Eev. Mr. McDowell succeeded him in the
active work of the mission in 1799 or 1800, or about the time his
co-religionist, Dr. Strachan, came hither. Eev. Mr. Smart came in
1811 ; but by this time Dr. Strachan had joined the English Church,
so that the field of Presbyterianism was cultivated by Messrs. Bethune
and McDowell, the latter of whom asked Mr. Smart to assist in the
work. On May 24, 1888, the celebration of the one-hundredth anni-
versary of the adoption by New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia or
Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the Carolina Synods of the Presbyterian
Congregation of the resolutions for the formation of the first Presby-
terian General Assembly in America, was held at Philadelphia. As
early as 1695 the Presbyterians and Baptists began to flourish in
Philadelphia. Their interests were then so far united that they met
for worship in the same small building, known as the " Barbadoes Lot
Store." This fellowship lasted till 1698-99, when the Presbyterians
imported a permanent minister, the Eev. Jedediah Andrews, from
New England, and he actually took possession of the pulpit in the
store to the exclusion of any Baptist minister who might happen to
<jome along. By this act it was evident to the Baptists that the
Presbyterians wanted the store for themselves, because of their
unwillingness to give up the pulpit to Baptist preachers. Or, in
modern slang, the Presbyterians " froze out " the Baptists— a process
more recently known nearer home.
Among the early ministers of the Church of Scotland in Middlesex
were Alex. Eoss, who took the oath of allegiance in January, 1830,
and Donald Mackenzie, who also took the oath. In 1833 other
branches of the Church were formed, and from the latter years dates
the progressive Presbyterianism of the present time. Among the
52 HISTOKY OF THE
names of early Presbyterian preachers are : — Alex. Mackenzie, of
Goderich, 1837 ; Wm. R Sutherland, now residing in Ekfrid, 1848 ;
Lachlin McPherson, of Ekfrid and Williams, 1846 ; John Scott, Wm.
Proudfoot, James Skinner ; and of the Scotch congregation, W.
McKellican, 1833 ; Daniel Allen, 1838 ; Duncan McMillan, of
Williams, and Dugald McKellar, of Lobo, 1839.
Presbyterian Marriages. — The following marriage contracts were
recorded by William Proudfoot, a Presbyterian minister of the
Associate Secession Church : —
Aug. 6, 1833— Neil Ross to Margaret Ross, of London.
Oct. 1, " William Bell to Matilda Smith, of Stanley.
Nov. 12, Charles Grant to Eliza McDonald, of London.
Nov. 14, " Hugh Fraser to Margaret McGregor, of London.
Nov. 27, Charles W. White to Sarah A. Munro, of London.
Dec. 11, " Alex. Moince (or Mounts) to Christian Clubb, of Westminster.
Feb. 15, 1834— Edward Dunn to Elizabeth Grieve, of Lobo.
Jan. 29, E. A. Thompson to Salina Chisholm, of London.
Mar. 17, John Sinclair to Eliza Donaldson, of London.
May 13, Archibald Graham to Flora Graham, of Lobo.
May 27, Andrew Beattie te Isabella Boston, of Lobo.
July 7, Andrew Kernahan to Eleanor Wilson, of London.
July 11, George Laidlaw to Christian Grieve, of Westminster.
Aug. 1, James Jackson to Isabella Nichol, of Westminster.
Sept 30, Donald Fraser to Isabella Ross, of Williams.
Oct. 29, William Quinn to Jane Weir, of Dorchester.
Nov. 20, James McDonald to Janet Anderson, of Williams.
Nov. 27, Edward McDonald to Betsy McDonald, of London.
Mar. 17, 1835— John Quite to Anne Needham, of Nissouri.
Mar. 27, John Hope to Nancy Lynn, of Southwold.
April 2, Hugh Barclay to Janet McDonald, of London.
April 3, Jennetis Nichol to Nancy Laidlaw, of Westminster
April 23, John McDonald to Hannah McMillan, of London
April 29, John Wilson to Eliza A. Clark, of London.
He made record, also, of the following marriages solemnized by him
in 18o5— 7 i —
May 7, 1835— David Jackson to Ann Grieve, of Westminster
Aug. 10, Robert Smith to Margaret Lomie, of London
bept. 1, John Norval to Eliza A. Proudfoot, of London
8£ ?Q A8?"1 Mralt°n t0 Elizabeth Thompson, of London.
Oct. 19, Adam Murray to Jane Beattie, of London
Nov. 20, Robert Smith to Ann Graham, of Tilburv East
SeT 15' " *°be* Snmith to E1f"* Graham, of Sry East
Tan 7'l«q« Donald Cameron to Janet Ramsay, of London.
Jan. 7, 1836-David Hughes to Charlotte Mathews, of London
Hugh Mclntyre to Sarah McNeill, of Williams
Jan' $ Alexander Campbell to Janet Moore, of Williams.
Feb Q ' STg- WV0 Chri8tina Brown> °f London.
April 12' '• S I*! McK^ *° Mar«ar<* Cameron, of Williams.
Mav £ « pamU! J^ to Nancv Clark> of London.
Ju/e 14 wm- wT8? p ^ A" McKe»zie, of Zorra.
ulv 1 '< TWl1!1™ Niagle to *ebe<*a Hart, of Delaware.
AuJ 9' « ^^^ to Jane Bailey, of Stephens.
lSf ' 10 - H rf M£DonaJd J° C.hris^ Bain, of London.
Sent 8 " W-?ry J™ t0 AT6 J' McSpadden, London.
' 8 " William Grieve to Margaret Beattie, of Westminster
=
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
53
In 1837 he recorded the following contracts : —
Feb. 17, 1837— Charles Lackey to Elizabeth Middleton, of Westminster.
Mar. 21, " John Stillson to Elizabeth Scott, of London.
April 18, " John Diamond to Janet Bremner, of London.
May 25, " Abner Wilson to Margaret Drummond, of Westminster.
June 17, " Robert Craig to Melissa Hall, of Nissouri.
June 29, " Joseph Goodhand to Sarah Craig, of London.
Aug. 9, " Andrew Allen to Isabella Fraser, of London.
Nov. 16, " John Barclay to Mary McBain, of London.
Dec. 8, " John Oliver to Isabella Beattie, of Westminster.
Eev. James Skinner, of the United Secession Church of Scotland,
recorded the following marriages in 1835 : —
Jan. 22, 1835— John Meek to Catherine Campbell, of South wold.
Feb. 4, " Lot Wyllie to Catherine McPherson, of Westminster.
Mar. 26, " Henry Berry to Susan Burwell, of South wold.
April 9, " Robert G. Eunson to Hannah Cress, of St. Thomas.
May 7, " Wm. Buchanan to Mary Sinclair, of Westminster.
May 18, " Kenneth Juner to Ann Frazer, of St. Thomas.
Dec. 24, " James Ferguson to Janet Jardine, of St. Thomas.
With the ahove he solemnized four other marriages at South-
wold : —
Feb. 2, 1836— John Campbell to Catherine Stewart, of Ekfrid.
Aug. 18, " Robert McClatchey, of Caradoc, to Mary Storie.
Aug. 18, " John Law, of Adelaide, to Bridget Holleseme.
Feb. 15, 1837— John B. Olds, of Brock, to Elizabeth Preston, of Adelaide.
In 1835, Eev. Wm. Eraser, of the United Associate Secession*
Presbyterian Church, certified the following contracts : —
June 22 — Julia N. Raman to Sarah Manning, of Dorchester.
July 9— Rupert McDonald to Isabella McDonald, of Stanley.
Eev. D. McKenzie, of the Scotch Presbyterian Church, united
the following in marriage : —
Sept. 3, 1834— Joseph Pool to Bethia Witt, of Westminster.
Feb. " Donald Fraser to Janet Ross, of Williams.
Feb. 4, " John Mclntosh to Isabella Munro, both of Williams.
Dec. 28, 1837— Robert McDonald, of Oxford, to Kate McKay, of Nissouri.
He also joined six couples in matrimony in 1835.
Baptist Church. — Eevs. Joseph Wiem, Turner, Wyner and Elder
Holts introduced Baptist services into Canada about 1794.
In April, 1821, a number of families emigrated from South Wales,
to what was then known as Upper Canada. They crossed the channel
from Swansea to Bristol, where they waited for the sailing of the
vessel which was to carry them across the Atlantic to such a home as
they might be able to make for themselves in the New World. A six
weeks' voyage landed them in Quebec about the middle of June ; but
the most difficult, tedious and toilsome part of their journey was yet
54 HISTORY OF THE
before them. The appliances of the times for navigating the inland
waters of Canada were meagre. Steamboats there were, but they
were few and slow, and the accommodation they furnished was of a
rude description. They made tedious voyages on the river from
Quebec to Montreal, and on Lake Ontario as far as Little York and
Hamilton. Engineers had not taught navigators how the difficulties
of the St. Lawrence rapids could be surmounted by canals and locks.
Hence these Welsh families came from Quebec to Montreal by steam-
boat, from Montreal to Prescott by Durham boat, and from Prescott to
Little York by steamer ; and reached St. Thomas about the end of the
first week in July. After a brief rest in St. Thomas, a few of the
men travelled through the woods to the rear of the Township of
London, where they secured land, and began to prepare such accom-
modation for their families as circumstances permitted, and to which
they brought them shortly afterward. The heads of some of these
families were godly people, Calvanistic Methodists, or followers of
Whitfield, as distinguished from followers of Wesley. As soon as their
families reached their new home,, on the very first Sabbath, a prayer
meeting and Sabbath School were arranged, which, without any pro-
longed interruption, have, through all the changes of sixty-seven years,
continued to the present. But there were none to preach to them the
Word of Life, or take pastoral observation of these few sheep in the
wilderness. Still, they had their Welsh Bibles, of which they were
diligent students, and the Chief Shepherd himself watched over and fed
them in the green pastures of His grace. Those who had spiritual life
encouraged and helped each other, and used all the means at their
disposal to extend it to those who had none. After a time they were
visited by some Wesleyan ministers, but their teaching was not that
to which they had been accustomed in Wales ; nor did it agree with
their conceptions of Bible truth, hence their visits, though welcome,
made little impression.
In the spring of 1829 the Rev. Wm. McDermond, a Baptist minister,
preached. The people received him gladly. His teaching called the
attention of both the older Christians and young converts to the much-
controverted subject of baptism. A diligent search of the New
Testament, to ascertain what Christ commanded, and what His
Apostles taught and practiced, resulted in a radical change of their
views on the subject, act and designs of that ordinance. Philip
Kosser, an earnest, devoted Christian, and, from the early days of the
settlement, one of the leaders of the devotions of the people, was the
first person baptized, and his baptism was soon followed by that
of others. In the same year, 1829, a Baptist Church was formed
m the Township of Lobo, now known as the First Lobo Church, of
which the Baptists in the Welsh settlement became a branch, a
connection which continued nearly five years.
During this time, and for several years afterward, a number of
Baptist ministers visited the settlement, and preached the Word as
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 55
opportunity offered. Among these were McDermond, Vining, Slaught,*
Finch, Gaul, Mabee and Elliott. The occasional visits of these
servants of the Lord were much appreciated, and, through the Divine
blessing, resulted in a considerable increase in the number of believers.
But the inconvenience of being a part of a church so far distant as
Lobo began to be felt. The want of passable roads, joined to incon-
venient facilities for travel, made it difficult for them to attend
with sufficient frequency ; and the propriety of getting a dismissal
from Lobo and forming a church in the settlement was seriously
discussed, and the church at Denfield resulted. From the beginning
the Baptist Church spread out through the country. The act of 1831
bestowed certain liberty on dissenters, and Baptists were not slow to
avail themselves of the privileges offered.
Early Ministers. — On Jan. 12, 1830, John Harris' application for
license " to celebrate matrimony " was received. Geo. J. Ryerson's
application was made two days later. In April the petitions of Geo.
J. Eyerson and others was considered. The magistrates refused to
grant license to celebrate marriage to ministers of the Calvinistic
Baptist Society, believing that such societies did not come within the
statutes. On Jan 12, 1831, Geo. J. Ryerson presented another
petition asking leave to celebrate marriage, and setting forth the names
of the Calvinist Baptist Community to which he belonged, as follows :
Joseph Kitchen, Benj. Palmerston, Nelson Vail, Gabriel Mabee, Nelson
Montross, Robert Young, and David Shearer.
The regular Baptist Ministers were : — Francis Pickle, 1837,
Blenheim ; Joseph Merrill, 1838, Bayham ; Salmon Vining, 1838,
Nissouri; Gilbert Harris, 1838, Oxford; W. H. Landon, 1838,
Blenheim ; Samuel Baker, 1838, Malahide ; Dugald Campbell, 1838,
Aldborough; Abraham Sloot, 1838, Westminster; Isaac Elliott, 1839,
Oxford; Salmon Vining, 1839, Lobo; Shook McConnell, 1839,
Townsend ; Richard Andrews, 1840, Yarmouth ; Dugald Sinclair,
1839, Lobo; Thomas Mills, 1843, Yarmouth; Reuben Crandell, 1843,
Malahide ; Wm. Wilkinson, 1845, Malahide ; George Wilson, 1846,
Malahide ; N. Eastwood, 1846, London ; D. W.Rowland, 1848, South-
wold ; Jonathan Williams, 1 848, Dorchester ; John Bray, 1847, South-
wold ; Mark W. Hopkins, 1849, Goshen; Israel Marsh, 1849, Dor-
chester; Robert Boyd, 1850, London; Simeon Rouse, 1850, Bayham,
and Alfred Chute, 1851, Lobo.
Early Baptist Marriages. — The marriages celebrated by Rev.
Abraham Sloot, in 1832-8, are recorded as follows, the parties being
of the Calvinist Baptist Church : —
WITNESSED BY
Sept. 12, 1832— Joseph Elliott to Sarah Glynn, T. Glynn and P. Campbell.
Sept. 16, " Victor Button to Mary Norton, G. Norton and G. Sloot.
Sept 24, " Justus M. Videto to Amanda Hart, John Hart and B. Curtis.
Oct. 10, " Daniel Corson to Zelinda Wells, J. Wells and T. Olds.
Oct. 16, " Wm. Whitehead to Emiline Curtis, J. M. Videto and S. L. Sumner.
* This may be intended for Abraham Sloot, as the name is spelled differently by writers.
56
HISTORY OF THE
Oct. 22, 1832— Wm. Leeper, to Cynthia Osborne,
Oct. 25, " John Grieve to Jane Murray,
Oct. 29, " Edmund Burtch to Sarah Smith,
Nov. 27, " Andrew Elson to Charlotte Dyer,
Dec. 9, " Isaac Vansickle to Mary A. McClain,
Jan. 24, 1833— Philo Jackson to Sarah Hill,
Feb. 15, " Wm. Wells to Elizabeth Johnson,
Feb. 28, " Cornelius Willson to Suffrona Cutler,
Mar. 9, " Oliver Strowback to Mary Jackson,
Mar. 23, " Peter Sinclair to Nancy Sinclair,
April 2, " Philip Brooks to Prudence Warner,
April 29, " Joseph Lown to Sarah Griffith,
April 30, " John Wells to Mary Brown,
WITNESSED BY
D. Stockton and T. Huff.
E. Grieve and N. Elliott.
H. T. Shaver and John Cort.
W. Blinn and Joseph Elson.
A. Montross and J. McClain.
Tilly Hubbard and N. Griffith.
Geo. Sloot and Wm. Libby.
H. Jones and D. Browne.
Eli Griffith and Philo Jackson.
W. Elliott and L Gambo.
Zachariah and L. Warner.
F. and Sam. Lown.
Alexander, Mary and A. Weir.
The above named were residents, in the order of entry of the fol-
lowing townships : — Caradoc, Westminster, London, Malahide, London,
Yarmouth, Westminster, Lobo, London, Yarmouth, Westminster, Lon-
don, London, Westminster, Caradoc, Dunwich, Westminster, and Lon-
don.
July 28,
Aug. 19,
Aug. 19,
Aug. 24,
Aug. 2fi,
Aug. 31,
Sept. 3,
Sept. 19,
Oct. 15,
Oct. 15,
Oct. 17,
Oct. 27,
Oct. 28,
Oct. 28,
Oct. 29,
Dec. 24,
Jan. 13,
Feb. 10,
Feb. 14,
Feb. 23,
June 9,
June 19,
Augk 7,
Sept. 30,
Nov. 9,
Nov. 12,
Jan. 8,
Jan. 15,
Feb. 18,
Feb. 23,
Mar. 2,
Mar. 17,
Mar. 25,
April 11,
July 8,
Aug. 9,
Nov. 10,
Dec. 9,
Dec. 13,
Dec. 25,
Dec. 30.
1833— Ensign Hill to Diana Carney, of Westminster.
John Kitchen to Nancy King, of South wold.
James King to Marietta Bartlett, of Caradoc.
James Siddal to Violet Young, of Dunwich.
John Whiting to Wealthy Degraw, of Caradoc.
Timothy Simonds to Ruth Webster, of Westminster.
James Montague to Lora Hunger ford, of Westminster.
Joseph Siddal to Eliza Brooks, of Dunwich.
Swain Corliss to Eliza Williams, of Lobo.
Joseph Lyon to Juliana Moore, of Southwold.
Wm. Routledge to Jennet Bailee, of Westminster.
Zeras Myric to Juliana Odle, of London.
Zerah Gilbert to Mary A. Baker, of Southwold.
Jonah Clarke to Mary Lumley, of Dunwich.
Hiram Perkins to Harriet McNaraes, of Westminster.
Duncan McDugald to Mary McKiller, of Lobo.
1 *34— Jacob Cooley to Dorka Reynolds, of Dorchester.
Malcolm Smith to Mary McFarlin, of Lobo.
Angus Graham to Cristy Smith, of Lobo.
Henry Stringer to Derinaan Elliott, of Westminster.
Richard Patrick to Hannah Simmons, of Westminster.
Andrew Carl to Lucretia Clarke, of Westminster.
John Patrick to Roxena Thorp, of Westminster.
Patrick Walker to Mary Beach, of London.
John H. Campbell to Annie Quick, of Caradoc.
John McKey to Isabella McCormick, of Williams.
5— Andrew McClure to Samantha A. Crandle, of Southwold
James Mclntire to Jane Mclntosh, of Ekfrid.
Armon Barrett to Susan Little, of Southwold.
Charles Moice to Elissa Burger, of Southwold.
John Kizier to Elmira Dell, of Westminster.
Henry Cook to Nancy Harrison, of London
Jacob Dale to Eliza Hansel, of Westminster.
George Shaver to Rebecca Hart, of Westminster.
Hiram B. Mann to Margaret Stringer, of Westminster,
panels Jarvis to Ounda Perkins, of Westminster.
Daniel Squers to Lois Burnam, of Westminster.
Daniel Whitehead to Lovina Wilkins, of Westminster.
George Hollis to Harriett Leahy, of Southwold.
Kenedy Creighton to Laura S. Hart, of London.
Wm. Foster to Sarah Woodhull, of Lobo.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 57
Oct. 31, 1836 — Robert Kilbourne to Susannah Roberts, of Westminster.
Nov. 24, " Robert Patton to Emelia Davis, of Westminster.
May 14, 1837— Armon Barrett to Nancy McFall, of Ekfrid.
June 24, " Alexander Thomas to Juliana Clark, of London.
July 1, " Henry Wilson to Eliza A. O'Neil, of Dorchester.
Aug. 5, " John Ellis to Rosilla Fletcher, of London.
Sept. 12, " Henry Weller to Esther A. Jackson, of South wold.
Sept. 20, " Benj. Doyle to Derindia C. Adair, of Westminster.
Oct. 19, " Jacob H. Kyser to Margaret McStay, of Delaware.
Nov. 4, Henry Plank to Mary A. Salinton, of Westminster.
Nov. 9, " Mahon Boding to Roxeana Wade, of South wold.
Dec. 14, " John Elson to Mary Bioito, of London.
Dec. 18, " Samuel L. Sumner to Caziah Sohns, of London.
Dec. 18, " Benj. Sumner to Mary Piatt, of London.
Jan. 18, 1838— Wm. McKay to Sally A. Cutler, of Westminster.
May 15, " Peter Beach to Nancy Seaton, of Delaware.
June 5, '•' Benjamin Schram to Jane Tigner, of Delaware.
July 3, " John E. Sloot to Esther Hart, of London.
The marriages by Kev. Dugald Campbell, of the Baptist Church, of
Aldborough, in 1833-7, are as follows : —
Nov. 26, 1833— John McCallum to Mary McKellar, of Ekfrid.
Dec. 24, " Angus McLean to Sarah McPhail, of Dunwich.
Jan. 21, 1834— Lachlin McLachlin to Mary McCallum, of Ekfrid.
Jan. 21, " Hugh Leitch to Catherine McLachlin, of Ektrid.
Feb. 11, " John McTavish to Flory Stewart, of Oxford.
Feb. 13, " John Munro to Mary Murray, of Ekfrid.
April 1, " John McCallum to Nancy McKellar, of Mosa.
July 22, " Arch. Campbell to Margaret Johnston, of Lobo.
Feb. 3, 1835— Arch. McLachlin to Catharine McLellan, of Ekfrid.
Feb. 3, " Arch. McLellan to Elizabeth Walker, of Mosa.
Feb. 19, '* Duncan Campbell to Mary McAlpin, of Aldborough.
Mar. 5, " Lachlin Haggard to Catherine Gidham, of Mosa.
Mar. 17, " Duncan Black to Sarah McCallum, of Dunwich.
Feb. 9, 1837— Alexander McAlpine to Christy Brown, of Aldborough.
Mar. 14, " Edward McCallum to Nancy Mitchell, of Ekfrid.
Mar. 30, " Wm. Room to Catherine McLean, of Dunwich.
June 1, " Henry Eirot to Letitia Elliott, of Ekfrid.
June 29, " Malcolm McAlpine to Nancy McAlpine, of Ekfrid.
Solomon Vining, of the Regular Baptist Church, of Nissouri,
solemnized the following marriages : —
Oct. 20, 1833 — Francis German to Eliza Gleason, of Nissouri.
Nov. 14, " Charles Harris to Abagail Mabee, of Oxford.
May 19, 1835 — John McDiarmid to Mary Burgess, of Nissouri.
July 6, " Thomas Morgan to Rachel Rosser, of London.
Oct. 29, " Varnum German to Betsey Murray, of Nissouri.
Dec. 24, " William Pickart to Mary A. Pickel, of Nissouri.
Jan. 14, 1837 — Thomas Rosser to Ann Bell, of London.
Jan. 21, " Josiah D. Burgess to Jemima Near, of Nissouri.
July 1, " Henry Edwards to Eleanor Simons, of Lobo.
May 1, " John C. Holding to Esther Markham, of Nissouri.
Aug. 30, " John Rohner to Mary A. Edwards, of Dorchester.
Dec. 2, " Jeremiah Dorman to Catherine Matthews, of London.
Dec. 6, ' ' James G. Barnes to Sarah J. Withers, of Nissouri.
Dec. 28, " Thomas Badygood to Marilla Finch.
Jan. 18, 1838 — Casper Near to Sarah Garner, of Nissouri.
Mar. 18, " Sylvester Dupee to Susannah Stanton, of Nissouri.
At this time, Rev. Davis Cross, of the Free Communion Baptist
Church at Zorra, solemnized eight marriages, among them being
Joseph Alwood and Christen McKay, of Nissouri.
5g HISTORY OF THE
Dugald Sinclair, a Baptist minister, recorded the following certifi-
cates: —
Mch 2 1835— John McKellar to Sarah Livingstone, of Mosa.
Apr 28 « « Colquhoun Campbell to Catharine Sinclair, of Adelaide.
July 9 " Alex. Campbell to Jannet McArthur, of Caradoc.
Aug 25 " John McGugan to Sarah McTaggart, of Williams.
8£ 3,' " Donald McDonald to Mary McTaggart of Lobo.
Feb. 9, 1836-Adonvja Degraw to Isabella McNeil, of Caradoc.
Kev. Dugald Sinclair, of the Baptist Society, also registered the fol-
lowing marriages : —
Jan 1 1, 1836— Donald Campbell to Margaret Brown, of Williams.
Nov 24 " Alex. Graham to Ann Stuart, of Lobo.
Dec. 11, " Duncan McLean to Catherine McKinley, of Lobo.
Eev. Samuel Baker, of the Eegular Baptist Church, of Malahide,
registered the following : —
Feb. 5, 1836— John McLachlin to Catherine McKenzie, of Williamstown.
Mar. 26, " George Sloot to Sarah Best, of Westminster.
July 10, 1837— William F. Curry to Susannah Moses, of Mosa.
Rev. David Wright, of the W. M. Church, united in matrimony,
Jan. 17, 1838— John Frank and Hester Walters, of Westminster.
Rev. Wm. McDermond, a Calvinist Baptist, united,
May 6, 1S35— Phillip Rosserand Maria Edwards, of London.
Rev. Joseph Merrill, of the Bayham Baptist Church, united.
Sept. 26, 1835 — James B. Stephenson to Eliza Dunmead, of Dorchester.
Rev. Nichols French, of West Oxford Regular Baptist Church,
united : —
Sept. 30, 1834 — Hiram German to Sarah Brigham, of Nissouri.
Oct. 11, 1835— Samuel Herrin to Mary Whiting, of Dorchester.
June 17, 1837 — Thomas Squires, of Dorchester, to Catherine Bentley.
Rev. J. R. Lavelle, a Universalist minister, made the first marriage
record of his church at London, as follows : —
April 25, 1850— Bartholomew Swartz to Sylvanie Shotwell, of Westminster.
The marriages solemnized by Rev. Thomas Huckins, of the Free
Will Baptist Church, of London, are as follows : —
Feb. 4, 1833— Joseph Miller to Susannah Hampton, of London.
April 15,
July 16,
Aug. 28,
Oct. 10,
Dec. 31,
Hugh Stevenson to Catherine Donaldson, of London.
Peter Sarvis to Sarah A. Phroman, of London.
Charles Mann to Sarah Jaynes, of London.
David Duke to Maria Whitehead, of Biddulph.
Wm. Patterson to Jane Marckel, of London.
Jan. 13, 1834— John W. White to Elizabeth Buchner, of London.
Jan. 21, ' Edward P. Godfrey to Mary Moore, of Southwold.
Mar. 16, John Frasier to Almeda Gilbert, of Southwold.
April 8, Jacob Eberly to Sarah Mills, of Oxford.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
59
May 4, 1834— Daniel Koot to Rhoda Fuller, of Warwick.
May 13, " Stephen Griffin to Elizabeth McPherson, of South wold.
June 26, ' George W. Ross to Diadema Paul, of Biddulph.
Aug. 10, ' John Fralick to Annis Pierce, of London.
Nov. 11, ' Albert Ellice to Jane A. Reynolds, of London.
Nov. 16, Ralph Little to Maranda Purchase, of London.
Dec. 24, ' Levi Vaughan to Mary Scott, of London.
Dec. 30, ' Robert Holmes to Margaret Reckord, of Dunwich.
Jan. 13, 1835 — Azarah W. Clark to Ann Sarvis, of London.
Jan. 16, " Archibald Price to Ann Monaghan, of London.
Sept. 15, " Corneilus Williams to Elizabeth Defields, of Mosa.
Jan. 26, 1836— Samuel Munro to Eleanor Banghart, of Westminster.
- Mar. 29, " Robert Brown to Sarah Attwood, of Dunwich.
May 23, " Alexander Wear to Jane Hodgins, of London.
May 24, " James P. Harris to Martha Jackson, of Dereham.
June 19, " William Snelgrove to Eleanor Adkins, of Caradoc.
Aug. 8, " Caleb Willcox to Jane Bartlett, of Mosa.
Aug. 9, ' c Horace Cooley to Zelpha Moses, of Mosa.
Aug. 31, " Cornelius Jones to Harriet Abry, of London.
Sept. 18, " Alonzo Smith to Lucy Hubbard, of Mosa.
Nov. 12, " F. Finley, of Plympton, to Ann Sharp, of London.
In 1847, Rev. D. Stephenson Star was preacher in this district.
Congregational Church. — The Congregational Church was repre-
sented in the London District in 1835, for on Oct. 15 that year Rev.
Wm. Lyall took the oath and was authorized to celebrate marriage.
To Rev. William Clarke, however, the credit is given of establishing
this form of worship in 1838. The ministers who succeeded him or
filled the pulpit within the old county during the following years are
named as follows :— W. P. Wastell, Southwold, 1843 ; Joseph Silcox,
Southwold, 1845-50; Edward Ebbs, London, 1846; John Durrant,
London, 1847 ; W. H. Alworth, Port Stanley, 1848 ; W. F. Clarke,
London, 1849.
Early Congregational Marriages. — The first record made by a
Congregational minister was that made by Rev. William Clarke, as
follows : —
Jan. 15, 1838 — John Dent to Ellen Delaney, of Zorra.
May 25, " Edward Watson to Elizabeth Woods, of London.
June 1, " John Clegg to Letitia Feret, of London.
June 7, " Samuel Stansfield to Mary A. James, of London.
June 9, " Robert Thompson to Martha McCadden, of Adelaide.
June 11, Thomas Warner to Jemima Smith, of Amherstburg.
July 23, " John Marshall to Catherine Atkinson, of London.
Sept. 3, " Merrill S. Ayres to Martha E. Burch, of London.
Dec. 18, " John F. O'Neill to Phebe Sweet, of London.
Jan. 10, 1839— Wm. Jackson to Rhoda Siddal, of Mosa.
Jan. 30, " John Henderson to Rachel A. O' Dell, of Westminster.
Feb. 13, ' John L. Swart to Martha Manning, of Westminster.
Mar. 6, ' Robert Kearns to Ann Candless, of London.
Mar. 6, ' Elijah Payne to Margaret Wheaton, of London.
Mar. 13, ' Peter Ross to Louisa Elliott, of Ekfrid.
Mar. 27, John Beattie to Elizabeth Elliott, of Westminster.
Apr. 28, ' Thomas Boston to Mary A. Jones, of Lobo.
May 3, Samuel Bond to Mary A. Campbell, of London.
May 8, ' William Young to Mary Parker, of London.
May 11, ' John Gubbins to Sophia Reynolds, of London.
May 13, ' Porter Stevens to Hannah Eldridge, of Westminster.
(5() HISTORY OF THE
Mav 23 1839— Caleb Griffith to Caroline Morris, of London.
_ ** ~r t ITT /? _ _. „ j.* A,,« T\r **••»* s\f T.rk«rlrm
June 12,
June 13,
Sept. 19,
Oct. 18,
Oct. 30,
Oct. 31,
Nov. 1,
Nov. 4,
Nov. 28,
Dec. 7,
Dec. 25,
John Woofington to Ann Weir, of London.
Eleazer McCarthy to Mary A. Bevena, of Dorchester.
Thomas Dark to Grace Rottenbury, of London.
Nathaniel Lawson to Ann Thomas, of London.
Ralph Smith to Mary Davison, of London.
Wm. Dickson to Margaret Auld, of Warwick.
John Clarke to Prudence Bailey, of Nissouri.
Neil Munroe to Flora Hare, of Westminster.
Joseph Mowrey to Mary A Guffin, of London.
Lorenzo D. Cook to Mary Steinhoff, of London
James S. Steinhoff to Mary Cook, of London.
Jan. 11, 1840— Henry Palmer to Mahala Carter, of London.
Jan. 13, " John Lodge to Eleanor Foote, of Southwold.
Methodist Church— Wesley an. Methodism in Canada dates back to
•Oct. 7, 1786, when George Neal, an Irishman, who settled on the
Canadian side of the Niagara, preached the doctrine of John Wesley.
During the Revolution he was a major in the British cavalry. Prior to
this, however, Capt. Webb and Commissary Tuffey, of the 44th
Infantry, preached the same doctrine to the garrisons. In 1788,
Exhorter Lyons preached at Adolphustown, and James McCarthy, an
Irishman, at Earnesttown. In 1790, Wm. Lessee, the first regular
Methodist preacher, came. He was a U. E. Loyalist, who managed to
stay in the States until that year. In 1791, however, he appeared in
the role of a Methodist Episcopalian. 'In 1805, the first carnp meeting
was held on the south shore of Hay Bay. Among the preachers were
Revs. Henry Ryan, an Irishman ; Wm. Case, Madden, Bangs, Keeler
and Pickett. Ryan was known from Montreal to Sandwich, having
travelled the entire district on regular circuit work. The first Methodist
church was built at Adolphustown, in 1792, in which year a second
house was erected at Earnesttown. In 1816, Westminster was set off
as a Methodist circuit, as related in the history of that township, and
from this beginning spread out the many Methodist circuits and appoint-
ments of Middlesex, the history of which is told in the sketches of the
municipalities.
In 1826, Henry Ryan raised the cry, "Loyal Methodism vs.
Republican Methodism." This cry was countenanced and paid for by
Dr. Strachan, of the English Church, on behalf of his government, and
carried out so practically by Ryan, that the Canadian Wesleyan
Methodist Church became a name in the history of the Dominion in
1827. He was quick at repartee. On one occasion a village wag, one
of a crowd, asked him if he had heard the news ? " What news T
"Why," said the wag, "that the devil is dead." "Ah, well," re-
sponded Ryan, looking around the crowd, " he has, indeed, left a great
many fatherless children."
In 1874, the Methodist New Connexion Church, and some other
forms of Christianity, entered the Canadian Wesleyan body, and all
assumed the name, Methodist Church of Canada. In 1884, the
Episcopal Methodists and Bible Christians entered the Union, so it
may be said that to-day Henry Ryan's idea of 1826 is an accomplished
fact.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESF.X.
61
Early Methodist Marriages. — Eev. John Beatty, a Wesley an
Methodist minister, recorded the following certificates of marriage : —
Nov. 20, 1833 — John Nixon to Jane Jackson, of London.
Dec. 1, " William Wheeler to Melinda Flanigan, of London.
Dec. 18, " Ira Allen to Jane Gethy, of Lobo.
Jan. 13, 1834 — Yunel May to Mary Browne, of Nissouri.
Jan. 21, " Andrew Yerex to Mary Summer, of Westminster.
Eev. James Jackson, of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, of the
London District, solemnized these marriages : —
Nov. 18, 1834 — John Lambert to Mary Ann Smith, of Lobo.
Feb. 12, 1835 — James C. Smith, of London, to Lucy McDougal, of South wold.
Eev. Isaac Newton Dugan West, of the Wesleyan Methodist
Church, performed the marriage ceremony in the following instances : —
Oct. 14, 1834 — John Stanley to Eliza Atkinson, of London.
Dec. 3, " Warren Young to Susan Besstidds, of London.
Dec. 31, " Hiram Dell to Anne Frank, of Westminster.
Jan. 1, 1835— William Wilson to Elizabeth Bevans, of Nissouri.
Jan. 1, " Joel Moriarity to Lucy A. Bevans, of Nissouri.
Jan. 28, " Roswell Forbes to Eliza Lamoure, of London.
Jan. 29, William Stinoff to Eliza Holt, of Yarmouth.
April 3, Henry McKay to Rebecca Patrick, of London.
April 19, Alexander Bane to Mary Lewis, of Zorra.
April 28, " Augustus Hicks to Alvira Barnes, of London.
Eev. William Griffis, of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, joined
the following named persoDs in matrimony : —
Sept. 4, 1834 — Daniel Freeman to Isabella Bailey, of Nissouri.
Oct. 29, " Joseph Barnes to Eleanor Williams, of London.
Jan. 13, 1835 — James N. Holmes to Margaret Sutton, of Westminster.
Mar. 18, " William Patterson to Eliza Brethwait, of London.
April 7, " William Ross to Amanda Bentley, of London.
April 11, " Jacob Wilsie to Eleanor Manning, of Westminster.
May 19, " Wm. McFadden to Lucinda Walcot, of London.
May 20, " James Thompson to Catherine Murphy, of London.
May 21, " Wm. Jackson to Margaret Webster, of London.
May 26, " Charles G. Bostwick to Evis Manning, of Westminster.
Nov. 4, 1835— John Jones to Ann Jane Curry, of Mosa.
Nov. 4, " George Curry to Elizabeth Jones, of Mosa.
Feb. 24, 1836— James Gardiner to Rebecca Flemon, of Mosa.
Eev. John S. Atwood, of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, married
this couple : —
Oct. 4, 1835— Silas R, Ball to Jane S. Hyde, both of Dorchester.
Eev. Dugald Campbell, of the Baptist Church, of Aldborough,
recorded the following certificates : —
Feb.
Feb.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar
April
June
2, 1836— Robert McAlpine to Betty McLachlin, of Mosa.
25,
I,
29,
31,
4,
14,
Duncan McPhail to Mary McCallum, of Zone.
Archibald Murray to Flora McAlpine, of Ekfrid.
Donald Smith to Isabella Mitchell, of Ekfrid.
Duncan McCall to Sarah Haggart, of Lobo.
John McCall to Catherine McCall, of Lobo.
D. McCallum to Mary Black, of Dunwich.
62 HISTORY OF THE
Kev. C. Vanderson, of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, united the
following couples : —
Dec. 12, 1836— Nathan Choat to Caroline Gibbs, of St. Thomas.
Feb., " Thomas Allen to Melissa Gregory, of St. Thomas.
Eev. David Wright, of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, recorded
the following marriages: —
Dec. 10, 1835— Simeon Morrell to Eleanor Beach, of Oxford.
Dec. 31, " Robert Barrie to Maria Vandeburgh, of London.
Feb. 18, 1836— John Taylor to Martha Willis, of London.
Feb. 18, " George Menelly to Eliza A. Manning, of Westminster.
Feb. 29, " George Sweeten to Mary Gardner, of Adelaide.
April 11, " Alexander Cameron to Mary Westby, of Tuckersmith.
April 24, " William Jackson to Elizabeth Chalmon, of London.
June 29, " John Armstrong to Sarah Young, of Tuckersmith.
Sep. 8,
Oct. 9,
Nov. 27,
Dec. 15,
Henry H. Cornstock to Lucretia Strowbridge, of Westminster.
Edward Button to Ann Reynolds, of London.
James Stewins to Ann Swart, of London.
Welsie Manning to Amanda Simson, of Westminster.
Jan. 25, 1 37— Benjamin Woodhull to Lucinda Miner, of Delaware.
Mar. 10, Thomas Guest to Mary McRobert, of London.
Feb. 24, John Kearns to Purlina Schram, of London.
April 5, James Mcllmurray to Ann Johnston, of Adelaide.
May 3, James Bryant to Elizabeth Ayers, of Westminster.
May 24, Andrew Yaks to Wealthy Grouse, of Westminster.
Aug. 16, Rev. J. K. Williston to Eleanor Morden, of Westminster.
Oct. 6, George McConnell to Eliza Willis, of London.
Nov. 9, George W. Albee to Hannah Vail, of London.
Eev. J. Flanagan, of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, solemnized
marriages as follows : —
1837— Ira M. Sumner and Elizabeth Merrill, of London.
" Charles Hoag and Hannah J. Day, of Hipun.
Kev. Edmund Stoney, a Wesleyan minister, made the following
record : —
Sept. 17, 1837— William H. V. Hill to Mary Stevens, of London.
Oct. 3, Leonard O'Dell to Rachel Norton, of Dorchester.
Mar. 27, 1838 — Simeon Sanborn to Mahala Hartshorn, of London.
April 23, " John Willis to Susan Shaw, of London.
May 30, ' Geo. Alway to Jane Armstrong, of Lobo.
Aug. 29, Daniel Morden to Eliza J. Robison, of London.
Sept. 11, Gabriel Willcia to Catherine O'Dell, of Westminster.
Sept. 19, Geo. Oliver to Mary A. Percival, of London.
Sept. 20, Arthur McGerry to Charlotte Towe, of London.
Thomas Fawcett, of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, recorded the
following marriage certificate : —
Feb. 28, 1838— Ezekial Caldwell to Sarah Sutton, both of Westminster.
Kev. Caleb Burdick, of the B. N. A. Methodist Church, united
these couples : —
Aug. 15, 1833— Adoram Frank to Eliza Hodgson, of Westminster.
Jan. 19, 1835— Wm. Conly to Mary Walker, of Dorchester.
Jan. 21, Truman Burgess to Caroline Furry.
Aug. 17, Amos Ferrin to Anna Cornwall, of Dorchester.
Mar. 22, 1836— John McLarity, of Yarmouth, to Anna Me Arthur, of Dorchester.
June 29, 1837— Jacob Stover, of Dorchester, to Ann Froman, of Maladide
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
63
Eev. Eobert Earl, a Wesleyan, joined in matrimony : —
Oct. 2, 1837 — John Morgan, of Warwick, to Elizabeth Hughes, of London,
Nov. 8, " Reuben Adams, of Malahide, to Mary Jane Little, of Westminster.
Eev. John Shilton, of the Canadian Wesleyan Methodist Church,
made the following record : —
Jan. 6, 1837 — Benjamin Shilton to Hannah Chapman, of Raleigh.
Mar. 9, " John Clandening to Sarah Clement, of Mosa.
Mar. 13, " Howard Allen to Catherine Drake of Mosa.
Mar. 13, " Thomas Drake to Mary J. Eveland, of Mosa.
April 18, " William Wilson to Elizabeth Huff, of Zone.
Eev. James Bell, a Canadian Wesleyan Methodist preacher, made
the following record : —
n. 2, 1838— John Little to Mary A. Patterson, of Westminster.
ril 10, Thomas Orr to Abigail Tyrrell, of Westminster.
Jan.
Apr
May 17, " James Owry to Eliza Orr, of Westminster.
Sept. 26, Abram Lewis to Charlotte Patterson, of Westminster.
Oct. 17, *' Benjamin Bentley to Christian Stringer, of Bayham.
Nov. 27, " Jared El wood to Rosanna Talmon, of Westminster.
Methodist Church continued. — The Methodist Episcopal Church
was contemporary with, if not part of, the Wesleyan Society. In
1827-8 the Henry Eyan religious rebellion closed off the American
form, and from that period to 1884 Episcopal Methodism was known
here. In the early marriage record — relating to dissenters from the
English Church — many of the early ministers are named ; while, in
the history of the circuits of Middlesex from 1816 to 1828, the pioneer
preachers all find mention. In April, 1831, Eev. Samuel Bolton, of
the Methodist Episcopal Church of Yarmouth, applied for permit to
perform the marriage ceremony, and took the oath of allegiance.
Thomas Harmon, of Westminster, and Caleb Burdick, of Malahide,
also took the oath, with Abner Matthews, Matthew Whiting, Thomas
Whitehead and Asahel Hulbert. Eev. John Bailey, of Nissouri, took
the oath of allegiance in October, 1835, and was authorized to perform
the marriage ceremony.
Prior to and immediately after the troubles of 1837-8, Methodist
Episcopal preachers were looked upon with some political suspicion ;
but they rushed forward in numbers to take the oath of allegiance.
Among the leading ministers from 1839 to 1851 were : — John H.
Houston, 1839, Norwich ; James Mitchell, 1840, London ; George
Turner, 1839, London ; Charles Pettys, 1840, London ; David Griffin,
1840, Bayham; Thomas Webster, 1840, London; Bernard Markle,
1844, Mosa; Benson Smith, 1843, London; W. D. Hughes, 1843,
Westminster; James Nixon, 1843, Malahide; Nathan Parke, 1845,
Mosa ; Samuel Dunnett, 1846, Delaware ; Eansom Dexter, 1845,
Malahide; Henry Gilmore, 1846, Malahide; John Gibson, 1846,
London; Abram E. Eoy, 1847, Malahide; Nathan Parke, 1847,'
Chatham ; Hiram A. Eraser, 1848, Caradoc ; Matthew McGill, 1849
Caradoc; Schuyler Stewart, 1848, Malahide; Wm. Cope, 1849'
£4 HISTORY OF THE
Caradoc; George P. Harris, 1849, Dorchester; J W. Jacobs, 1851,
Yarmouth; Sylvester L. Kerr, 1851, London; Thomas Davis, 1851,
of the above-named, such as Dr. Webster, have served the
district up to the union with the Canadian Methodists in 1884.
London District, in 1880, claimed the following ministers :— Rev E.
Lounsburv, Presiding Elder; London City, M. Dimmick, 0. G. Colla-
more- London Circuit, John Lay cock; St. Mary's, Nissoun, J. B.
Cutler J Bloodsworth ; Thamesford, C. M. Thompson ; St. Thomas,
R C ' Parsons; Southwold, S. Knott, C. W. Bristol; Dorchester, N.
Dickie- Springfield, A. Kennedy; Parkhill. M. Griffin; Thedford, E.
G Pelley; Goderich, G. A. Francis; Seaforth, C. W. Vollick ;
Brussels D. Ecker ; Ingersoll, W. H. Shaw ; Embro, M. H. Bartram ;
Stanley, R A. Howey ; Maitland, W- N. Vallick ; Westminster, J. T.
Davis, T. B. Brown ; Aylmer, J. Ferguson ; Malahide, W. Fansher,
W. M. Teeple; Tilsonburg, J. Rose; Norwich, W. Benson, W. E.
Gifford ; Mt. Elgin, J. Gardiner, D. C. L. ; Vienna, W. A. Shaw ;
Walsingham, Thos. Graham ; Sweaborg, A. Scratch.
In 1881 the following named presided over the several circuits : —
London, M. Dimmick; London Circuit, B.C. Moore; Ingersoll, W.
H. Shaw, B. Laurence (superannuated) ; St. Mary's and Nissouri, C.
M. Thompson, J. Mitchell; Thamesford, M. H. Bartram, R. Service
(superannuated) ; Embro, R. J. Warner, B. A. ; Sweaborg, John Wood ;
Dorchester, M. Griffin; Westminster, J. T. Davis, J. Bloodworth; St.
Thomas, W. G.' Brown, B. B Rogers, A. A. C. ; Southwold, W. Fan-
sher, T. J. Brown; Parkhill, J. Lay cock; Goderich, G. A. Francis;
Bosanquet, S. Knott; Seaforth, C. W. Vollick; Maitland, W. 1ST. Vol-
lick ; Stanley, N. Dickie, F. Ling ; Norwich, 0. G. Collamore, C. A.
Moore; Aylmer, J. Ferguson; Springfield, A. Kennedy; Malahide,
J. Rose,T. J. Smith; Tilsonburg, G. A. Filcher; Mt. Elgin, J. Gardiner;
Vienna, A. Scratch, D. Griffin ; Walsingham, W. Scurr.
In 1882, Rev. J. Gardiner presided over the district with M. H.
Bartram and B. C. Moore, of London ; J. Ferguson and C. A. Moore,
of Mt. Elgin; W. N. Vollick, of Nissouri; A. Scratch, of Embro;
John Wood, of Sweaborg; M. Griffin, of Dorchester ; W.H.Shaw
and T. J. Smith, of Westminster, and J. Lay cock, Parkhill. Strathroy
and other circuits, such as Newbury, belonged to other districts; Dr.
Webster, of the latter place, being a resident worker of the church in
this county for almost half a century. In 1884 the union of this
church with the Methodist Church of Canada was effected.
Early Methodist Episcopal Marriages. — The earliest record of
marriages dates back to 1831, when Ephraim Smith, a minister of the
Gospel, sent to the Clerk the following certificates : —
April 24, 1831— Lorenzo D. Bates to Mary Earl.
May 4, " John Sharp to Martha Smith.
Oct. 30, " Samuel Healy to Christiana Howell.
Jan. 26, 1832— Eli Cross to Anna Smith.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
65
Feb. 16, 1832— John Maher to Lodice Smith.
Mar. 16, " David T. Duncan to Mary Gillett.
Mar. 24, " Chris. L. Barnes to Amy Otis.
The greater number of above resided in Norwich Township.
The following recorded marriages were solemnized by Eev. Thos.
Whitehead, of the Methodist Episcopal Church : —
Oct. 14, 1832— Jasper H. Gooding to Mary Good, of Goderich.
Nov. 5, " Thomas B. Hale to Jane Willson, of Goderich.
Nov. 14, " William Holland to Eliza Hicks, of Goderich.
April 17, 1833— Thomas Webster to Mary Bailey, of Nissouri.
July 10, " Arthur Squires to Lydia Carter, of Stanley.
The marriages solemnized by Eev. Ezra Adams, of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, of the London District, are recorded as follows : —
July 5,
Oct. 2,
Oct. 25,
Nov. 13,
Nov. 20,
Jan. 31,
Feb. 20,
Feb. 20,
Dec. 3,
Feb. 4,
1832— Thomas Hurlburt to Betsy A. Adams, of Caradoc.
Jackson Stafford to Isabella Nickald, of Southwold.
" Carroll to Lydia Kelly, of Mosa.
" John Philips to Harriet Caswell, of Westminster.
" James Nash to Keziah Lockwood, of Caradoc.
1833— Seneca Edwards to Mary Curry, of Mosa.
Wm. Provost to Sally Siddal, of Dunwich.
' ' Horace Kelly to Nancy Provost, of Mosa.
1834— Col vin Davison to Jane Nichols, of Ekfrid.
1835— John Coyne to Elizabeth Neal.
Rev. Jesse Owen, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, performed
the ceremony of marriage in the following cases : —
Jan. 1, 1833 — William Hodgman to Ann McGogan, of Caradoc.
Jan. 7, " James Clarke to Harriet Ramsay, of Caradoc.
Jan. 28, " Allen Fox to Jane Hunt, of London.
Feb. 10, " ' Belah King to Maria Dickison, of London.
Apr. 15, " Charles Dickison to Elizabeth Neadham, of London.
May 6, " Cyrus Hawley to Eliza Smith, of London.
May 8, " John Geary to Eliza Hasket, of London.
May 8, " Moses Willson to Eliza Bailey, of Nissouri.
July 29, " John Jackson to Nancy Sawtle, of London.
Aug. 28, " John Wheaton to Jane Clark, of London.
Rev. John Bailey, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, united : —
July 4, 1837— Charles Pettys to Mary Nixon, of Nissouri.
Rev. Charles Pettys, of the same denomination, married the
following : —
Sept. 20, 1837— Cyrus P. Meriam to Margaret McBean, of Ekfrid.
Oct. 19, 1838 — Alonzo Charles to Lucy Blackmore, of Mosa.
Daniel Picket, a Methodist Episcopal preacher, united :
Oct. 8, 1834 — James Nixon to Annie Nichols, of London Township.*
Bible Christians. — The Bible Christian Church may be said to
have been established at London in 1869. In that circuit in 1871
there were two itinerant and nine local preachers, four places of wor-
* These marriage notices are copied from old and imperfect records, and, doubtless,
contain errors, for which, owing to the care employed in these pages, the publishers are not
accountable.
66 HISTORY OF THE
ship, and 179 members. Rev. W. Jollifle and J. Collins were pastors.
In 1873 W. Keener was at London. J. J. Eice came in 1875, and in
1876 he, with F. M. Whitlock were ministers. In 1877 S. J. Allin
assisted Mr. Rice, and the latter in 1878 took charge of the two cir-
cuits, London East and South ; but in 1 879 the circuit was divided, as
shown in the local history of this society. The 12th annual meeting
was held in May, 1880, within their church at London South, when
the following named ministers and laymen were present : — Revs. W.
Hooper (Superintendent), T. R. Hull, W. Ayers, W. Quance, J. Archer,
G. H. Copeland, R. Mallett, B. A , T. Mason, W. Rollins and S. J.
Cunnings ; Messrs. J. Isaac, J. Cole, W. Gerry, W. Field, J. Small,
W. Jennings, E. Johnson and R. Kennedy. The officers appointed
were Rev. W. Rollins, Secretary ; Rev. R. Mallett, Journal Secretary ;
Rev. G. H. Copeland, Reporter for the Observer ; and the ministers : —
London Centre, Rev. \V. Quance ; London East, Rev. G. H. Copeland ;
London South, Rev. W. Rollins ; Lambeth, Rev. T. Mason ; Dereham,
Rev. T. R. Hull; Ingersoll, Rev. J. Archer; St. Thomas, Rev. W.
Hooper. Appointments continued to be made annually until the
union of 1884, when the Bible Christians lost their distinctive title
and became a part of the Methodist Church of Canada. In the
chapters devoted to local history the several churches of this society
are noticed.
Lutherans. — The Lutheran Church in Canada dates back to 1790,
when a building, known as Zion Church, was erected east of Kingston,
and Rev. Schwerfeyer, of Albany, K Y., called as pastor. About this
time a Mr. Myers, of Philadelphia, resided in Marysburgh Township,
where a large number of Palatinates and other German loyalists had
sought refuge. His mission was not successful, so that in 1807 he
returned to Pennsylvania. Rev. Mr. Weant, who preached at Ernest-
town, and in 1808, at Matilda, found but poor support, and in 1811
joined the English Church clandestinely at Quebec. Returning, he
continued to preach to his people, who found him using the Book of
Common Prayer, and wearing a surplice — cause sufficient for his
dismissal. In 1814, Mr. Myers was recalled, but finding that Weant
had possession of the building, had to resort to diplomacy to obtain its
use for worship. In 1817, Myers also joined the English Church.
Both were addicted to brandy-drinking and consequent drunkenness,
Myers dying from the effects of a fall.
Miscellaneous Societies.— The Quakers or Society of Friends,
introduced their faith in 1790, when David Sand and Elijah Hick held
services at James Noxen's house, Adolphustown. They had a house
of worship erected there, the first in Canada; the second being at
Sophiasburg. Joseph Leavens, who died in 1844, in his 92nd year
was one of the leading preachers of the society.
The Mennonites claim to be direct descendants of the Vandois or
Waldenses, who, during the latter part of the twelfth century were
driven by oppression into HoUand, and who lived there a scattered
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 67
sect until the sixteenth century, when Menno Simon, a reformed
priest, gathered them together and organized them into a compact
religious body, to which he gave his name. Because of the principles
they held they still suffered persecution, even to the extent of martyr-
dom, and finally a large body of Mennonites emigrated from Holland
to the United States and settled in and around Pennsylvania, about
the close of the seventeenth century. Here they found the freedom
of worship from which they had been so long debarred, and flourished,
a prosperous community. But after a century of peace the war of
the American Independence overshadowed the land, and, among many
others, a few of these people, preferring to remain under British rule,
left their pleasant homesteads to travel northward. Over the extensive
uncultivated spaces between Pennsylvania and the border line they
journeyed, nor paused until they settled once again with others of our
old Loyalist forefathers upon Canadian shores, where they began to
form new homes among the pathless woods of Niagara peninsula,
bringing with them a loyalty that has clung to creed as firmly as to
crown in each succeeding generation.
The New Jerusalem Church dates back to 1861 for its organization
in Canada. In June of every year conference is held, and executive
and ecclesiastical committees appointed, One of the great meetings
of this association was held at Strathroy in 1876, when four ministers
and an average number of delegates and visitors were present from the
following places: — Berlin, Toronto, Wellesley, Stratford, Caledonia,
Chatham, Conestoga, Watford, Waterloo, and Yorkville. Letters were
received from members in London, St. Catharines, Hamilton, New
Brunswick, Ottawa, Lisbon, Mt. Brydges, Parkhill, Ingersoll, and
other places.
Moravians. — The history of the Moravians begins in 1457, nearly
a century before England accepted the teachings of Luther. Toward
the close of the fifteenth century there were 200 societies in Moravia
and Bohemia, and at this time their bible was issued. During the
succeeding 300 years the new church died out in its cradle ; but, in
1749, the British Parliament acknowledged them a part of the Protes-
tant Episcopal Church, and encouraged their settlement in North
America. In 1741, a few Moravians met for worship in New York.
During 1749, a number of Moravians established a mission in Tuscar-
awas County, Ohio, and here, in 1781, 100 of their number were killed
under the auspices of the very people who patronized them and sent
them to the colonies. The survivors of the massacre moved to Detroit
that year, and settled at New Gnadenhutten, near Mount Clemens, on
the Clinton Eiver of Lake St. Clair. During their term there fourteen
members died. They were hated by the Otchipwas on account of their
newly formed friendships for the Americans, and as that part of
Michigan was infested by Indians, the mission dissolved itself, the
greater number seeking a home on the Thames (La Tranche), near the
scene of Proctor's defeat, from which David Zeisherger wrote July 20,
68 HISTORY OF THE
1794 : " Captain Pike was instructed by De Peyster, the British Com-
mandant at Detroit, in 1781, to make a bouilli of the Moravians, but
they outlived persecution."
Monnonism, which carried off many from Larnbton, Middlesex and
adjoining counties into the polygamous arms of Utah in the sixties, is
still represented in the county and city. The Mormon temple on
Maitland street is the monument which this Church has raised to the
zeal of its members. In 1875 Mormonism was flourishing at London,
under the administration of Elders Leverton and Davis In Novem-
ber, 1875, a cheeky Gentile stood up in the Maitland Street Church
and asked Elder Davis, " Did he really believe in the Mormon Bible ?""
Of course, the answer was general, and a challenge to discuss the
matter came from a dozen of throats.
The Salvation Army — sometimes called General Booth's Church —
is one of the latest additions to religious forms. Only a few years ago
the members were buffetted about or imprisoned, but their perseverance
won for them tolerance, and to-day the Army preach and sing in the
market place as well as in their barracks — the members pleased with
their worship and the people amused with it.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
CHAPTER V.
ORGANIZATION OF LONDON DISTRICT.
July 16, 1792, Governor Simcoe declared the Province to be
divided into nineteen counties, the last being the County of Kent,,
comprising all the country outside the boundaries of the first named
eighteen counties, as well as of the Indian lands, extending northward
to the boundary line of Hudson Bay, including all the territory west
and south of such line known as Canada. Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex
were the neighboring counties bordering on the river La Tranche, or
Thames. The act of 1799, to which royal assent was given Jan. 1,
1800, provided for the establishment of eighteen counties, a number
of townships and a few districts. Among the counties then set off
was Middlesex, comprising the Townships of London, Westminster,
Dorchester, Yarmouth, South wold, Dunwich, Aldborough and Delaware.
London District, as then constituted, comprised the counties of Nor-
folk, Oxford and Middlesex, with the country westward of the Home
and Niagara districts, southward of Lake Huron, and between them
and a line drawn due north from a fixed boundary (where the easter-
most limit of Orford Township intersects the river Thames), until it
arrives at Lake Huron.
The act of April 14, 1821, provided that the Townships of Lobo,
Mosa, Ekfrid and Caradoc should be attached to Middlesex ; that a
gore of land on the east side of Norwich and a gore on the east side of
Dorchester be attached to the respective townships, and that the
Townships of Zorra and Nissouri be added to Oxford County. At this
time the new Townships of Zone, Dawn, Sombra and St. Clair were
attached to Kent County.
In 1835 James Ingersoll qualified at London as Kegistrar of the
County of Oxford.
The act of 1837, setting off Oxford County as the District of
Brock, required the Quarter Sessions of London to declare the pro-
portion of district expenses to be apportioned to Oxford, pending the
issue of proclamation.
Brock District was set off from London March 4, 1837. The
proportion of moneys due the new district by the old for wild land
tax, received by the Treasurer of London up to December, 1839, when
the new district was proclaimed, amounted to £41 16s. 8d. ; but at the
settlement of July, 1841, £37 12s. Id. were deducted as the proportion
of general expenses incurred by London District.
In 1837 the magistrates of the new District of Talbot were author-
ized to sell the brick and stone in the old jail and court house at Vittoria,
the proceeds to be used in building their new court house and jail.
70 HISTORY OF THE
In April, 1839, the question of apportioning the expenses of the
County of Huron was before the court.
In 1854 the town of London was incorporated as a city and
•detached from the county.
The townships of Bayham, Malahide, South Dorchester, South wold,
Aldborough and Yarmouth were detached in 1852 from Middlesex
and formed into the County of Elgin. In 1865 McGillivray and
Biddulph were detached from Huron and attached to Middlesex,
As related in the history of Biddulph and McGillivray, both town-
ships petitioned for annexation to Middlesex, and were detached from
Huron. With the exception of exemption from paying any part of
the debenture debt of the county, the townships became at once part
and parcel of Middlesex, and were first represented in the Council of
1863.
What changes future years may bring round in the present
boundaries of the county cannot be stated. A contributor to the Age,
Grand-Pa, writing in September, 1871, proposed that West Middlesex
be set off as a new county. He dealt with general expenditures back
to 1854, and showed very plainly that the western township paid
much more than a just share of expenses. He also referred to the
movement of 1861-2 for the establishment of a registry office at
Glencoe, and the revival of the question in 1870-1.
Quarter Sessions' Court, 18%7-lfi.— The first Quarter Sessions
ever held at London was that of Tuesday, January 9, in the seventh
year of the reign of George IV. Joseph Eyerson was chairman.
In 1828, L. P. Sherwood was Circuit Judge. In July of this year
a resident of London was fined £5 " for deceitfully obtaining from
Eobert Summers one silver watch." In August, 1829, J. B. Ma-
caulay was Justice of the King's Bench. In January, 1839, Mahlon
Burwell was temporary chairman, with Peter Teeple, John Scatcherd,
Charles Ingersoll, Ira Scofield, Leslie Patterson, Edward Allen Talbot,
John Bostwick, and other justices present. Michael McLaughlin, of
Westminster, was fined 25 shillings for beating Catherine Southerland.
John Matthews, Jr., of Lobo, was fined £2 for beating Lawrence
Lawrason, of London, and James V. Eyan, of London, was fined 10
shillings for obtaining deceitfully from Eobert Caldwell a silver watch.
In April, 1829, George Coleman, of Oxford East, was fined £1 for
beating constable John Phelan. Samuel Weir, of Burford, was fined
£10 for beating Eapelje Weir, then under ten years. Joseph Lyons,
John Davis, Elijah Davis, Christopher Williams, Thomas Fortner, aU
fanners, and Cadnueil Moore, blacksmith, all of London, were fined £9
for assaulting James Williams in July 1829. In October, Isaac
Waters, of Westminster, paid £1 4s., for beating John Hunt.
In January, 1830, Henry Eeynolds, of Dorchester, paid £2 for
ting Jesse Beverly. About this time the names of Benj. Willsoii
and John G Lessee, appear among the magistrates. In April, 1830,
William B. Lee, of London, an innkeeper, and William Haskett, a
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 71
painter, were bondsmen for Isaac Waters. John Ward, of Mosa, was
indicted for assaulting Michael Hurder. Joseph Ward, a pensioner, of
Mosa, and Geo. Lee, of Ekfrid, were his bondsmen.
The Grand Jury in April, 1830, comprised Walter Chase, Benj.
Chadwick, Samuel Mason, Hugh O'Brien, Jacob Zavitz, John T.
Doan, Samuel Minard, Asa Fordice, Thomas Sprague, Thomas Hardi-
son, John Brazey, Durcomb Simons, Ira Whitcomb and Lawrence
Doyle. During the trial of James Meek vs. Duncan Campell, Duncan
McKenzie was sworn as interpreter for Malcolm Mclntyre, one of the
witnesses. At this time the serious charge against Ira Scofield,
Duncan McKenzie and James Parkinson for conspiracy, to charge
George J. Goodhue with forging a note against William Fuller, was
made, and they were held in £200 bail. John O'Neil was appointed
High Constable.
In July, 1830, Henry • Cook, innkeeper, of Westminster, paid
twenty-five shillings for assaulting Thomas Burns. In the case
against Michael Beach, of Oakland, Justus Willcox, of Mosa, and
Wm. Paul, of Yarmouth, were his bondsmen.
The charge of assault, with evil intentions, against Esban Gregory
by Mrs. Mary Graham, and a similar charge against Shadrack Jones,
were entertained. Phoebe and Abigail McNeal were witnesses
against Jones, who was found guilty, and sentenced to prison for
three months, and to pay costs.
In 1831, Levins P. Sherwood presided over the circuit, while the
magistrates hitherto named, with J. Parkinson, James Racey, Andrew
Dobie and Duncan McKenzie, were active in Quarter Sessions work.
In the fall of 1830, Whiting Barnes, of London, was fined five shillings
for beating Edward Green. In January, 1831, Wm. Eldridge, of
Mosa, was fined only one shilling for beating two of the Aldgeo
women of that township. Henry Cook was fined for assaulting Thos.
Orr, of Westminster. Gregory Allen, of Delaware, who assaulted
Ben Myers, was bailed out by Peter Schram, a farmer, and Charles
Eeeves, an innkeeper, both of Westminster. In 1830, A. A. Eapelje,
was still Sheriff.
In October, 1830, Henry White appears as a magistrate. At that
time the sum of £20 per annum was granted to High Constable
O'Neil, and William Putman was given £25 on account of labor on the
North Branch of the Thames.
In January, 1831, John Bostwick was chosen Chairman of Quarter
Sessions. The other magistrates present being Duncan McKenzie,
Henry Warren, Solomon Lossing, Edward A. Talbot, James Mitchell,
James Parkinson and Ira Scofield. One of the questions before the
Court was the expulsion of John Armitage from a lot of land in London.
At this time Stephen and James Howell, Jacob Best, Henry Belts,
Adam Miller, Reuben Clark and Wm. Smith were tried for assault on
Isaac Hartwick, but acquitted. Gideon G. Bostwick, Crier of the
Court in 1831, was granted an annual salary of £20.
72 HISTORY OF THE
In April, 1831, one Charles Mclntosh, a servant, sued his master,
Duncan McKenzie. This servant, or apprentice, brought no witnesses,
while his master brought forward Betsy Me Adam, Amy and Levi
Blackman, Allen and Thomas Eoutledge, Daniel Barclay, Sarah
McLoughlin, and Freeman Hull as witnesses. The Court gave judg-
ment against Mclntosh for £7 15s. and costs.
In January, 1832, Hiram D. Lee, of London; Nathan Griffith, of
Westminster ; Ira Whitcomb, of Port Stanley ; Geo. W. Whitehead,
of Burford ; James Young and Philip Henry, of Dunwich ; Jacob
McQueen, of South wold; Wm. Putnam, of Dorchester, and Samuel
Smith, of Orford, paid each £3 and were granted tavern licenses.
In January, 1832, Samuel Park, of London, was appointed Inspector
of Weights and Measures for the district, vice John Harris resigned.
At this time the name of Isaac Draper appears, and that of John
Scatcherd reappears among the magistrates, very few changes being
made within the preceding decade.
During the year 1832, a large number of males and a few female
residents took the oath of allegiance.
In October, 1833, Eliakim Malcolm's name appears as a magistrate.
In January, 1834, John Lamb, Alex. Murray and F. Shaunesson
were sentenced to terms of solitary confinement, with bread and water,
for larceny.
On May 18, 1831, the commission of Coroner was issued to
Jonathan Austin, Elam Stinson and David Bowman. The great seal
is four inches in diameter and bears the British arms of George IV.
In 1834 this commission was reissued.
In July, 1832, only eleven grand jurors remained for duty, the
others having fled from London owing to the prevalence of cholera.
In this year Dr. Donnelly, a pioneer physician, was stricken by the
disease.
In January, 1833, the first seals were ordered, one for the Court of
Quarter Sessions and one for the District Court.
In April, 1834, Mahlon Burwell was elected Chairman of Quarter
Sessions by the following named magistrates elect :— Joseph B. Clench,
a ^ i 7™ng' James InSersoll> Peter Carroll, John Scatcherd, Ira
bconeld Thomas Homer, William Eobertson, Christopher Beer, John
Bostwick, Colin McMilledge, Eliakim Malcolm, John G. Lossee
Edward Ermatinger, Thomas Eadcliff, John Philpot Curran, Duncan
McKenzie, Philip Graham, Andrew Dobie and John Burwell. John
B. Askm was still Clerk of the Peace, while A. A. Eapalje was
sheriff and V A. Eapalje Deputy. B. B. Brigham was appointed
road surveyor for Middlesex County, vice Eoswell Mount deceased.
George Moore was then coroner.
In October, 1834, Wm. Young was temporary Chairman of Quar-
ter Sessions. The names of Thomas Eadcliffe and John Boys appear
as new magistrates. In January, 1835, Wm. Young was elected
Unairman, James Ingersoll still being a member of the Court like
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 73
John Bostwick, and the name of James C. Crysler appears. Among
the magistrates in April, 1835, the new names of James Barwick,
Colonel Light, Wm. Gordon, Capt. Kobert Johnson, and Edward
Buller appear. At this time it was resolved to elect a Chairman who
would be conversant with law, and pay him £10 for each session. This ,
order was repealed in 1837. In April, 1835, Dr. James Corbin was
fined £10 for practicing medicine illegally. In October, 1835, the
names of Henry Warren, Doyle McKenney, Benj. Willson, Geo. W.
Whitehead, Phillip Hodgkinson, Wilson Mills and Lawrence Lawrason
appear among the magistrates. In January, 1836, Hamilton H.
Killally, John Weir and Peter Carroll appear on the Bench.
The Grand Jury of January, 1836, comprised twenty well-known
names: — John O'Neil, Foreman; Thomas Gibbons, Joshua Putnam,
Wm. Niles, Levi Myrick, Simeon Morrill, John Jennings, Eichard
Smith, Silas E. Curtiss, F. G. Warren, Dennis O'Brien, Edward Mat-
thews, Joseph L. O'Dell, Albert S. O'Dell, Kobert Fennell, Joseph B.
Flannagan, Elisha S. Lyman, Robert Souter, H. Van Buskirk and Wm.
O'Dell.
Edward Grattan, a printer, of London, in 1836, was held on bonds
to give evidence against Thomas Cronyn, indicted for assault.
The celebrated motion presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions,
July 12, 1836, by Edward Allen Talbot, one of the magistrates, was
as follows : — " I protest against the payment of any sum or sums of
money being paid to any magistrate acting as Chairman for the
District of London, who accepts of any sum or sums of money in lieu
of such services, and on the following grounds : — First, I consider it
contrary to law; and secondly, I regard it as derogatory to the'
character of the magistracy of the district, even if they had a law for
so doing, to pay their Chairman the paltry sum of £40 per annum ;
and thereby I regard it as an infringement of the rights of the people
for the magistrates to appropriate any part of the district funds for
any purpose whatever, unless authorized by law so to do."
In April, 1836, the action which gave rise to this motion was the
re-election of Wm. Young as Chairman on the following vote : — John
Burwell, Harvey Cook, Capt. Dunlop, G. W. Whitehead, Duncan
McKenzie, Robert Riddle, John Philpot Curran, Alex. W. Light, Wm.
Hentiliny, Henry Hyndman, Wm. Dunlap, Wm. B. Rich, Philip
Graham and R. R. Hunt for Young, and E. A. Talbot voted contrary.
Mahlon Burwell, then Chairman, while he moved the re-election of
Young, was not called upon to vote.
In April, 1837, Mahlon Burwell was elected Chairman of Ses-
sions. Among the magistrates present were Peter Carroll, John
Carroll, John Kitson Woodward, John Weir, A. Dobie, J. Bostwick,
J. Burwell, J. C. Crysler, Doyle McKenny, Geo. W. Whitehead, John
S. Buchanan, Duncan McKenzie, Thomas Wade, Andrew Drew, John
Arnold, Edmund Deeds, Samuel Eccles, Thomas H. Ball, L. Lawrason,
Edward Ermatinger, J. G. Lossee, B. George Ronviere, John Brown,
James Graham.
74 HISTORY OF THE
On July 12, 1837, James Hamilton, of Sterling, qualified as
Sheriff of the District of London, Dr. Joseph Hamilton and Hon.
John Hamilton being his bondsmen. At this time the first notice of
the existence of an insane and destitute person in the District is given.
The sum of £25 was advanced to John Barclay for the maintenance
of Janet McBean.
The magistrates presiding in October, 1837, were John Burwell,
James Mitchell, Doyle McKenny, Wilson Mills, Ephraim Tisdale,
Purley, Cyrenius Hall, John Shore, L. Lawrason, J. S. Buchanan and
J. R Brown. In January, 1838, the names of Thomas H. Ball,
Harry Cook, Eobert Johnston and Wm Kobertson appear.
In January, 1838, the following licenses were issued to keep
houses of entertainment, the fee in towns being £7 10s. Od., and in
small settlements £3 :— John O'Neil, Geo. T. Glaus, John Talbot,
Bemis Pixley, James Jackson (in township), Amy Wood, and Henry
Humphreys, of London ; Geo. Miller, Atkins & Taylor, Thomas
Pettifer, of St. Thomas ; Henry Purdy, of Vienna ; George Dingman,
William Sage, of Westminster; John Bolton and J. Whitcornb, of
Port Stanley ; Mrs. Westlake, Patrick Mee, George Ivor and Eichard
Brenuan, of Adelaide ; Alexander Ward and John Ward, of Mosa ;
Abraham Van Norman, of Delaware ; Amos Wheeler, of Dorchester ;
Archibald Miller and Jonathan Miller, of Ekfrid. On April 11, 1838,
a tavern license was granted to William Balkwill on payment of
£7 10s. Od. At this time John McDonald, a grocer, of London, was
before the Court. Patrick Deveney was licensed to keep an inn at
London in 1839.
In January, 1839, the following named newly-elected magistrates
were present : — John Douglas, John G. Bridges, John Jackson, John
Burne, Kichard Webb, John Arnold, W. F. Gooding, Peter Carroll,
Alex. Sinclair, Henry Carroll, Philip Hodgkinson. In April, 1839,
the following tavern licenses were issued : — Gideon Bostwick, of
Westminster ; Wm. Marvin, of Dorchester ; Geo. J. Smith, of Ekfrid ;
Sam. Sewell, of Adelaide ; James Fisher, of Caradoc ; Anson Strong,
of London Town. In April, 1839, the petition of John Burwell was
reported unfavorably by H. Hyndman, Chairman of Committee.
In October, 1840, Charles Prior appears among the magistrates; J.
B. Clench being Chairman. In 1841, Thomas Cronyn was a magis-
trate, and Adam Hope in 1842. In 1843, Henry Allen was Chairman
(commonly known as Judge), while Alexander Strathy, Geo. J. Good-
hue, Simeon Morrill and Hugh Carmichael, are among the magistrates.
In 1845 the name of Alexander Anderson appears.
County Council, 18J$-S8.— -The Councillors of London District in
1842 are named as follows : — Lawrence Lawrason and John Geary, of
London ; Andrew Moore and John Burwell, of Bayham ; Daniel Abel
and James Brown, of Malahide ; Thomas Hutchison and John Oil, of
Yarmouth ; George Elliot and Levi Fowler, of Southwold ; Thomas
Coyne, ofDunwich; Thomas Duncan, of Aldborough; William Niles,
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
75
of Dorchester ; John D. Anderson, of Mosa ; John Parker, of Caradoc ;
Francis King Carey, of Delaware ; Archibald Miller, of Ekfrid ; Isaac
Campbell and Hiram Crawford, of Westminster; John Edwards, of
Lobo ; and John S. Buchanan, of Adelaide.
A statement presented to this Council for January 1, 1842, shows
the liabilities of the district to be £1,405 3s. 6d., and the assets to be
£322 12s. 6d. W. W. Street and Daniel Harvey being auditors.
Daniel Abel, Chairman of a committee on law books and jail and court
house property, reported twenty volumes in the library, with the jail,
debtors' room and county offices plainly but fully furnished. The
return of lands, under patent, in the District show 638,914J acres
valued at £2,662 2s. lOid.
On Feb. 11, 1842, John Wilson, then Warden, signed a petition,
"To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty," congratulating her "on the
birth of a prince and heir apparent to the throne of that mighty
empire."
On August 9, 1842, Wm. Niles, Chairman of a Committee to enquire
into receipts and expenditures of the office of Clerk of the Peace for
the years 1838 to 1841, reported a draft of a communication from the
Council to the magistrates in session for their consideration. This com-
munication was brought before the magistrates, who declined to con-
sider it, and this refusal was followed by other petitions for redress to
the Governor- General. The petition to Governor- General Bagot, of
August 10, 1842, set forth that, the right of the Council to audit and
pay accounts was denied by the Justices of Quarter Sessions, and this
denial was sustained by the Court of Queen's Bench in the order of
that Court to the Justices to audit and pay. The petition asked that
the salaries of all officers should be regulated by the Legislature, and a
table of fees established for unknown or uncertain services. The
petition further asked that powers be conferred on the Council to
compel the attendance of witnesses in road cases. The act of October
12, 1842, provided for the transfer of the Registry office from Dun-
wich township to the town of London, such transfer to be made May
1, 1843.
In 1843, Thomas Graham replaced Moore as Councillor, of
Bayham ; James Murray replaced Buchanan, of Adelaide, and Samuel
Kirkpatrick replaced Thomas Duncan, of Aldborough, and Daniel Abel
took the place of James Brown. These were the only changes from
the Board of 1842.
In May, 1843, there were £800 in the District treasury above all
expenditures. At this time John Burwell presided over the committee
which reported in favor of distributing this surplus among the town-
ships. The District Councillors for 1844 were Alex. Love and Benj.
Willson, of Yarmouth; Samuel Eccles took the place of Levi Fowler,
in Southwold; Samuel Kirkpatrick took the place of Duncan, of
Aldborough. Otherwise the Council of 1843 was unchanged.
I
76 HISTOKY OF THE
The Council of 1845 comprised the following new members :—
Richard Webb, of Delaware, vice Carey; Andrew McGregor, of
Dorchester, being the first Second Councillor from the township ; Robert
A damson, of Lobo, vice John Edwards ; Thomas Baty, of Westminster,
vice H. Crawford ; Wilson Mills, of Caradoc, vice John Parker, with
R. W. Brennon, of the new Township of Metcalfe, and Donald
Mclntosh, of the new Township of Williams.
In December, 1845, tavern licenses were issued to William Smith.
John Nellis, William McBean, William Franks and William Gain, of
London Township ; Schubal Nicol, Isaac Mott, Peter McGregor, Henry
Palmer and William Hood, of Westminster; W. F. Bullen, of
Delaware; Thomas and George Putnam, and Jonathan Hale, of
Dorchester South; Duncan Brown, of Lobo; Samuel Fleming and
Peter Fields, of Mosa ; James Adair, of Caradoc
The only changes in the Council of 184G, from that of 1845, were :
Benjamin Cutler, the first Second Councillor, from Lobo ; Andrew
McCausland replaced Brown, of Malahide ; Leonidas Burwell replaced
Graham, of Bayham ; Thomas Duncan, of Aldborough, took Kirk-
patrick's place, and Joseph Sifton, of London, occupied the chair so
long held by L. Lawrason.
In December, 1846, licenses were issued as follows, exclusive of
the renewals of those issued in 1845 : — John Stone, Lobo ; W. A.
Warren, Delaware ; Wm. Robinson, John H. Young, Roland Robinson,
John Scott, Jonas W. Garrison, John McDowall, Finlay McFee, Wm.
Harris, Thomas Hiscox, John Smith, Alex. Forbes, Martin Rickard,
John Matthews, Peter Burke, Charles Lindsay, Robert Carfrae, Richard
Grover, John Walsh, Sol Schenick, Wm. Burne, Paul & Bennett, John
O'Neil, Thomas Beckett, Peter McCann, of London ; James Fisher, of
<Daradoc ; Henry Rawlins, of Delaware ; Charles Patton, of Adelaide ;
Leonard Bisbee, at plank road junction, toward St. Thomas; John
O'Dell, Westminster; Arch. Miller, Ekfrid.
The changes in the Council of 1847 from 1846 were Jacob Cline,
vice McGregor, of Dorchester ; Win. Neal, vice Anderson, of Mosa ;
L. Lawrason, vice Geary, of London; Randolph Johnstone, vice
Wilson, of Yarmouth; Levi Fowler, vice Eccles, of Southwold, and
James McKirdy, first second councillor from Caradoc.
The Council of 1848 was made up of the following members, the
Reeves being named in the first column : —
Aldborough D. McDiarmid ........... London .... Joseph Sifton. . L. Lawrason
Adelaide. Jas. Murray ........... Malahide.. A. McCausland Daniel Abel
Loon. Burwell. Jno. Burwell Metcalfe... R. W. Brennan
Jas. McKirdy . John Parker Mosa ...... Wm. Neal .... A. D. Ward
Richard Webb ............ Southwold. Colin Munroe.. Levi Fowler
Wm. Niles... Jacob Cline Westmins'r Isaac Campbell Cal'n Burch
w T °^^-Ci0yne ........... Williams.. Don. Mclntosh ...........
Ekfrid... Arch Miller.. ........ Yarmouth.. Alex. Love... R.Johnstone
Lobo ...... Robt.Adamson Ben. Cutler
Bayham.
Caradoc ...
Delaware
Dorchester
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
77
The changes in 1849 were, Patrick Mee and J. A. Scoone elected
for Adelaide; Dr. E. Dancey vice McCausland, for Malahide ; John
McBride, for Aldborough ; St. John Skinner vice L. Bur well, for Bay-
ham, and Malcolm McAlpin vice Miller, for Ekfrid.
In December, 1847, tavern licenses were granted to Tunis S warts,
John Matthews, Jerry H. Joyce, Edward Stanley, M. S. Smith, James
Dagg, Wm. Black well, Hopkins & Abell, Ben. Higgins, Charles B.
Rudd, Thomas O'Mara, James Mason, Alex. Forbes, Maurice Keley,
Robert Wyatt or WyalL
On February 9, 1849, Chairman Munro, of the Committee on
Schools, presented a lengthy report suggesting changes in old districts,
and recommending the establishment of new ones throughout the
District.
Wm. W. Street and John McKay, auditors of the District, reported
October 9, 1849, that Col. Talbot, Thos. C. Street and a few others,
refused to pay tax on their wild lands, and suggested an amicable suit
at law to test the legality of the by-law imposing such tax.
In March, 1849, John B. Askin, Clerk of the District Court, wrote
to J. Leslie, Secretary to the Governor, stating that in consequence of *
the position assumed by John Harris and John S. Buchanan, each
claiming to be legally elected Treasurer of the District by the District
Council in October, 1846, " the offices are painfully situated." At
the date of writing John Harris held the office, but the claims of
Buchanan were then being presented to the Court of Queen's Bench.
It appears that Harris was appointed by the Government ; but, under
the new municipal law, the magistrates thought they had the right of '
appointment.
The Council of 1850 presents eleven new names : — Sylvester Cook
and L. Burwell, vice Skinner and J. Burwell, for Bayham ; Col.
Dixon, for Caradoc ; John Clark, for Dunwich ; Donald McFarlane,
for Ekfrid ; Freeman Talbot and Wm. McMillan, for London Township ;
Murray Anderson and Benj. Nash, for the new town of London ; F. H.
Wright, vice Abel, for Malahide ; Richard Frank, vice Burch, for
Westminster; Donald Fraser, for Williams. In 1851 Messrs. Adam-
son, Anderson, AJlworth, Burwell, Clark, Craig, Dixon, Douglas, R.
Johnston, Locker, Mee, McMillan, McBride, Moyle, Rae, Robson,
Shipley, Geo. Smith (Ekfrid), Thomson, WTilks, Willey, Willson, Frank,
Barker and H. Jolmstone formed the Council, William Niles being
re-elected Warden. In May, 1851, R. Frank, Chairman of the Com-
mittee on Clergy Reserves, recommended that in view of the sale of
such reserves by the Province, the Legislature be petitioned to appro-
priate proceeds for the uses of general education.
During the years just preceding and in this year the question of
constructing gravel or toll roads throughout the county occupied much
attention ; but as the subject is transferred to the chapter on roads and
bridges, the doings of the Council in the matter bear only this
reference here.
78 HISTORY OF THE
A committee, of which Freeman Talbot was chairman, reported
May 16, 1850, in favor of amending the municipal and other acts, so
far as they affect the liberties or interests of the county. Among the
recommendations was one relating to Coroner, as follows : — " Your
committee think proper to draw your attention to the impropriety of
holding a Coroner's inquest in all cases of sudden death, and would
therefore suggest the necessity of an immediate alteration of the
system, it being unnecessarily expensive and revolting to the better
feelings of humanity."
L. Burwell, chairman of a committee on the division of the
county, reported as follows, May 7, 1851 : — " Understanding that the
Government intend, during the ensuing session, to introduce a bill for
the purpose of dividing the larger counties, your committee have given
attention to that portion referring to Middlesex. Your committee are
of the opinion that the division line proposed, running east and west,
embracing the six frontier townships, and portions of Delaware, West-
minster and Dorchester, will be opposed by a majority of the inhabitants
of this county, and that a division for other than electoral purposes is
unnecessary ; and that for electoral purposes the line should run north
and south, embracing Dunwich, Aldborough, Mosa, Ekfrid, Caradoc,
Metcalfe, Lobo, Adelaide and Williams, as the new county, and that
the same be called the County of Elgin. This committee further
reported in favor of giving Bayharn to Oxford County in lieu of a
portion of Nissouri to be attached to Middlesex.
The Council of 1852 was composed as follows : —
London Town M. Anderson, Wm. Barker.. Adelaide .... Hiram Dell
London Wm. Moore, Hy. Collins. . Metcalfe Thos. Moyle. ...!....!!"
Lobo . R. Adamson, Delaware H. Johnstone
Carodoc H. Clinch Nissouri J. Scatcherd. .
Ekfrid G. J. Smith Dorchester N. Wm. Niles..
Mosa Neil Munro » S. Jacob Cline
Williams .... Geo. Shipley Westminster. Rich. Frank, P. McClary.
This list does not include the names of representatives from the
County of Elgin.
The members of the Council of the united. Counties of Middlesex
and Elgin in 1853 are named as follows : — Wm. Barker and Thomas
Holmes, of the Town of London ; W. Moore and Henry Collins
London; Garner Ellwood and Peter McClary, Westminster; Wm'
Niles, Dorchester; Thomas Kirkpatrick, Mosa; Donald Eraser
Williams; Kobert Pegley, Adelaide; Ambrose Willson and Weaver
Bay ham; David Hanvey and Hugh Mclntyre, Yarmouth; Levi
Fowler and Nichol McCall, Southwold; Moses Willey and John
Clark Dunwich, John Me Bride, Aldborough ; Edmund McCready
Dorchester South, and John Elliott, of the new town of Vienna In
1854 the changes were :— Murray Anderson replaced Holmes for the
hSL VD 2ni,,Wm' E1H0tt rePlaced Collins for London; Eli
Griffith replaced Ellwood for Westminster in June, 1853 ; Eobert
Craik, with W. H. Niles, represented Dorchester N. ; John McKellar
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
79
Lobo ; S. M. Fowle, Delaware ; J. Sparling, Mosa ; Louis Mott was
the first Second Councillor from Williams ; Hiram Dell replaced
Pegley, of Adelaide, while John Scatcherd, then Warden, represented
Nissouri W. This Council of 1854 represented Middlesex ex-
clusively.
In September, 1853, Councillors Clinch and McClary moved that
the Warden call a general meeting to consider the by-law granting aid
to the Port Stanley Eailroad.
In November, 1853, Councillor Kirkpatrick moved to appropriate
£100 to carry out the ceremony of opening the G. W. Eailroad.
On September 23, 1853, By-law 22, authorizing the issue of £20,000
debentures for the improvement of roads, was passed. Thomas
Moyle, Chairman of the Finance Committee, in his report of January
27, 1854, suggested the advertisement of a by-law for raising £25,000*
for stock in the London and Port Stanley Eailroad.
The Eailroad Committee of the Council, reporting in May, 1854,
through Holcroft Church, favored the purchase of the Ontario and!
Erie Eailroad and of two steamers, so as to prevent the building of a
southern line, and thus build up the stock of the Great Western Eailroad,
in which the county was interested. The question of consolidating
this Great Western road with the Grand Trunk road was decried, the
Committee stating plainly that such a deal would create a monopoly
and should not be entertained. In December, 1854, a memorial to
Samuel Laing, of the English stockholders in the G. W. Eailroad, set
forth the pleasure which the completion of the road, nearly twelve
months before, gave the people of Middlesex, and the pain which
numerous accidents, delays in shipment of freight, and other failures,
caused since the opening of the road ; asked the co-operation of the
British stockholders in obtaining a new management. The accident
at Baptiste Creek in 1854 caused the death of more than fifty per-
sons, and many more maimed for life.
In December, 1855, the city and county arbitration meeting was
held, Thomas Moyle representing the county, Wm. Barker the city,
with Thomas Shenston, of Woodstock, the third arbitrator. The result
of this method of settling disagreements is given in the history of
London City.
The Council of 1855 comprised William Fitzgerald and William
Shoebottom, of London ; Eichard Frank and Benjamin Cook, of West-
minster ; Geo. S. Eogers, of Delaware ; Hugh Carmichael, of Lobo ;
H. Clinch and Arch. Campbell, of Caradoc ; John Mclntyre, of Ekfrid ;
Donald Waters and Hugh Fraser, of Williams ; Henry E. Archer, of
Mosa; William Miller, of Adelaide; William Moore, of Nissouri
West; Thomas Moyle, of Metcalfe; Eobert Craik and Donald
McFarlane, of Dorchester North.
In January, 1856, Councilmen Keefer, Bateman, Hunter, Eogers,
Craik, Cartwright, Mclntyre, Fitzgerald, O'Neil, Moyle, Archer,
Edwards, Woodward, Burch, Cook, Waters, Fraser, and Moore qualified.
30 HISTORY OF THE
The Council of 1857, was made up as follows : Robert Adamson,
John Bateman, Robert Craik, Benjamin Cook, Thomas Cuddy, Hugh
Fraser, James Gardiner, David Hunter, William Moore, Thomas
Moyle, William McKinley, William McMillan, John Mclntyre. Wm.
Shoebottom, R. M. Varnam, Donald Waters and Jacob Weylor. Robt.
Craik was elected Warden.
The Reeves and Deputy-Reeves of 1858 is given by Townships :—
Adelaide. . Thomas Cuddy, Jas. Keefer, Caradoc Arch. Campbell, I. B. Burwell
Delaware- . Jacob Weylor Dorchester.. R. M. Varnum, B.V.Demaray
Ekfrid John Mclntyre Lobo Robt. Adamson, John Edwards
London W. Shoebottom, R.H. O'Neil. Metcalfe Thomas Moyle
Mosa Charles Rolls. . . T. Robinson. Nissouri W. R. Vining
Westm'str.. Benj. Cook John Nixon. Williams.. . . John Topping. . A. Elliot
The municipal election for 1859 returned to the Council R. P.
Tooth, Reeve, and William Thorpe, Deputy, from Adelaide; John
McDougal vice Edwards, of Lobo ; John Marshall vice Varnum, of
Dorchester; Thomas Hughes vice Moyle, of Metcalfe; R. H. O'Neil
and C. Coombs, of 'London ; Charles Scott, Deputy, of Nissouri ;
Malcolm Campbell vice Mclntyre, of Ekfrid ; Alex. Levie, of Wil-
liams, vice Topping ; Neil Munro. of Mosa, vice Rolls, with Charles
Armstrong vice Robinson. In the other cases, the old members were
re-elected.
The members of the Council of 1860 were M. S. Ayers, Alex.
Levie, John H. Munroe, W. R. Vining, Robert Dreaney, John Irvine,
R. H. O'Neil, Thomas Hughes, J. Weylor, M. Campbell, Wm. Wells,
of Williams E., Arch. Campbell, R. P. Tooth with James Keefer,
Reeve of Strathroy, Reeves, and Alex. Kerr, James Gardiner, Charles
Scott, John McArthur, W. R. Thorpe, Wm. McPee, Arthur Seabrook
and C. Coombs, Deputy-Reeves. Archibald Campbell was elected
Warden and re-elected in 1861 and also in 1862.
On Jan. 26, 1861, a letter from the Clerk of Biddulph, relating to
running trains on the Sabbath, was read, and immediately Councillors
D. Waters and J. Levie moved and seconded a resolution that the
Council petition the Dominion Parliament to amend Chapter 104 of
the Consolidated Statutes of Upper Canada, so as to prevent the
running of trains on Sunday.
The Council of 1861 comprised Neil Munro, Reeve, and John H.
Munroe, Deputy, of Mosa ; A. Campbell and I. B. Burwell, of
•Caradoc ; Wm. Rapley, of Strathroy ; Alexander Levie, of Williams
W. ; William Wells, of Williams E. ; Thomas Hughes, of Metcalfe ;
Robert Dreaney and James Craig, of Dorchester ; Thomas Curdy, of
Adelaide; M. S. Ayers and A. Kerr, of Westminster; M. Campbell,
of Ekfrid ; W. R. Vining and Charles Scott, of North Nissouri ; John
McDougal and L. E. Shipley, of Lobo.
The Council of 1862 was made up as follows :— Adelaide, Wm.
Murdock; Caradoc, A. Campbell and John Thompson; Delaware,
Thomas Beveridge ; Dorchester, Wm. McKee and R. Dreaney ; Ekfrid,
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
81
Malcolm Campbell ; Lobo, John Me Arthur and R. Adamson ; London,
Hamilton Dunlap and C. C. Coombs ; Metcalfe, Thomas Hughes ;
Mosa, J. H. Munroe and Nathaniel Currie ; Nissouri, James Evans
and Moses Wilson; Williams W., Alex. Levie ; Williams E., A. C.
Stewart ; Westminster, Merrill S. Ayers and John Nixon, and Strath-
roy, Wm. Rapley.
In 1863 the members of the Council were Messrs. Ayers, Bate-
man, Dreaney, Dunlap, Hughes, Levie, Moore, N. Munro, Mclntyre,
McArthur, O'Neil, Rapley, Smith, Stewart and Weylor, Reeves ; with
James Banning, Coombs, Dobie, Evans, Faulds, Hodgins, McDougal,
McKee, Nixon and Robinson, Deputies. C. C. Coombs was elected
Warden. At this session Biddulph and McGillivray were represented,
the first by Smith and Robinson, the second by O'Neil and Hodgins.
The act relating to the admission of the Townships of Biddulph
and McGillivray contains the following paragraph : — " Neither of the
said townships shall be liable for any debt contracted by the County of
Middlesex for the constructing or gravelling of roads outside of the
said townships, or which may at any time within the next twenty-one
years be constructed by such county for the purpose aforesaid."
The Council of 1864 comprised the following members : —
Adelaide . .
Biddulph .
Caradoc . .
Delaware..
Dorchester
Ekfrid
Lobo
London . .
T. Cuddy
R. H. O'Neil. Tim. Toohey.
T. Northcott J. Thompson
J. Weylor
R. Dreaney . . W. Thompson
J. Mclntyre.. J. D. Cornell
J. McArthur. L. Shipley. . .
H. Dunlap.. T. Routledge.
Metcalfe . . . T. Moyle
Mosa J. H. Munroe A. Armstrong
McGillivray. not recorded
Nissouri .... J. Evans. . . . M. Wilson. . .
Strathroy.. W. Rapley
Westminster M. S. Ayers.. Abel Cooper..
Williams E.. not recorded
Williams W. R. Mclntyre
The Council of 1865 comprised the following members: — Wm.
Miller, Reeve, and John Tver, Deputy, of Adelaide ; R. H. O'Neil and
John McFalls, of Biddulph ; John Bateman and Alex. Campbell, of
Caradoc; Colin Campbell, of Delaware; Robert Dreaney and Wm.
Thompson, of Dorchester ; John Mclntyre and D. Taylor, of Ekfrid ;
John McArthur and John Scott, of Lobo; Thomas Routledge and W.
H. Ryan, of London ; Thomas Moyle, of Metcalfe ; John H. Munroe
and Nathaniel Currie, of Mosa; James S. Smith and Andrew
Robinson, of McGillivray; James Evans and Moses Wilson, of
Nissouri; Wm. Rapley, of Strathroy; M. S. Ayers and John Nixon,
of Westminster; John Levie and Alex. Stewart, of Williams E., and
E. R. Dobie, of Williams W. John H. Munroe was elected Warden.
The report of the Finance Committee made in December, 1865,
points out an item of $2,970.10 paid during the year, for building and
furnishing the County Clerk's and other offices, and the Council
Chamber.
TOWNSHIPS. REEVES — 1866. DEPUTIES — 1866. REEVES — 1867. DEPUTIES— 1867
Adelaide W* Murdock . . Wm. Miller John Iver L. Cleverdon.
Biddulph R. H. O'Neil.. Chas. Gowan R. H. O'Neil.. Thos. Hodgins.
Caradoc John Bateman. J. Thompson J. Thompson.. J. B. Burwell.
82
HISTORY OF THE
TOWNSHIPS. REEVES— 1868. DEPUTIES— 1866. REEVES— 1867. DEPUTIES— 1867.
H. Johnson . . .
none.
Delaware ....
R Tooley
R. Dreaney
R. Toolev.
Dorchester N.
Ekfrid
M. Campbell. ..
D. Dobie
M. Campbell . .
A. Campbell.
Lobo
L. E. Shipley..
M. McArthur....
D. McArthur..
M. McArthur.
T Routledge . .
James Bell
T. Routledge . -
( James Bell .
| W. Shoebottom.
\ TT "Robinson
Metcalfe
AT n«a
Thoa. Movie . .
N Currie
A. Armstrong . . .
Thos. Moyle. . .
N. Currie
l/r. Langford.
none.
M. G. Munroe.
McGillivray ..
Nissouri W..
J. S. Smith.. . .
J. Henderson . .
Alex Robbs
Robert Fisher.. . .
W. Bell
John Corbett..
Jas. Evans . . .
R. Nicholson .
A. Robinson.
A. W. Browne,
none.
Williftmfl V
John Levie
John Levie ....
Alex. C. Stewart.
Williams W..
Woofminafpr
S. McLeod....
M 8. Avfirs. .
David Brock
John Nixon. . ,
S. McLeod....
John Nixon ....
Richard Peck.
\ D. B. Burch.
The county officials in 1866 were J. E. Small, Judge ; Wm. Glass,
Sheriff; John McBeth, Clerk of County Court; James Ferguson,
Registrar ; M. S. Ay era, Warden ; Adarn Murray, Treasurer ; C. W.
Connor, Engineer; James Keefer, Clerk, and Sam. Stansfield, Janitor.
In June, 1867, the Council was asked to petition the Government
for a prohibitory duty on hops imported from the United States ; but
the committee reported in favor of deferring such petition. Sub-
sequently a motion to forward such petition was lost.
In December, 1867, the Council petitioned the Legislature to em-
power a tax of six cents per acre on all unoccupied wild lands, for the
special purpose of being applied on the improvement of roads and
bridges in the vicinity of such lands.
In 1868, Roger Hedley was Reeve of Lobo; Thomas Northcott,
Deputy of Caradoc. Geo. Robson and John Kearns replaced Bell and
Shoebottom, of London. John Water worth, Reeve of Mosa, with D.
Mclntyre, Deputy ; Wm. Wright, Deputy Reeve of McGillivray ; W.
R. Vining, Reeve of Nissouri, with A. W. Browne, Deputy ; James D.
Dewan was Reeve of Strathroy ; John Waters, of Williams E., with
John Levie, Deputy; while William Neal was Reeve of the new
Town of Wardsville.
The Treasurer's office was robbed on the night of Feb. 8, 1868. On
March 31 the Council exonerated Treasurer Murray, as the loss,
$1,203.75, had been trebly saved to the county previously by his ex-
cellent silver deal.
The Council of 1869 was made up as follows— the Reeve and
Deputy Reeve being named in the above order of townships : —
Lawrence Cleverdon and John Wyley ; R. H. O'Neil and John
Hodgins ; Thomas Northcott and Thomas Faulds : Henrv Johnson, no
deputy ; Richard Tooley and James B. Lane; Hector McFarlane and
George E. Elliott ; Malcolm McArthur and Alex McKellar ; Thomas
Routledge with Deputy Reeves Thomas Langford, Edward Robinson,
John Kearns and William H. Ryan ; Robert Brown and George
Lamon ; John Watterworth and Alex. Armstrong ; John Corbett and
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
83
William Wright; Alex. W. Browne and R W. Giffin ; James D.
Dewan and John Frank ; John Waters and John Levie ; Simon
McLeod and John Dawson; John Nixon with William McKerlie and
Henry Anderson, Deputies of Westminster, and William Veal, of
Wardsville.
The Council of 1870 comprised 17 Reeves and 19 Deputy-Reeves.
The roll in the order of townships is as follows: — William Murdock
and John Wyley ; R. H. O'Neil and John Hodgins ; Thomas Northcott
and Godfrey McGugan ; Thomas H. Brettle, no deputy ; Richard
Tooley and James B. Lane ; H. McFarlane and G. J. Coulthard ; A.
McKellar and Alex. Gray ; W. H. Ryan with Deputies James Bell,
John Kearns, John Jackson and F. Lewis ; Robert Brown, of Metcalfe,
and Arch. Munroe ; John Watterworth and David 'Gibb ; William
Wright and John Rosser ; A. W. Browne and R. W. Giffin ; James D.
Dewan and J. Wilson ; John Waters and John Levie ; Simon McLeod
and John Dawson ; John Nixon with John S. Little and Eli S. Jarvis ;
Henry Henderson, of Wardsville.
The changes in the County Council of 1871 were as follows : —
Arthur Seabrook, qualified as Reeve of Delaware ; Robert Dreaney,
of Dorchester N. ; A. Mclntyre, as Deputy of Ekfrid, vice Coulthard ;
L. E. Shipley, vice Gray, of Lobo ; Wm. Kernohan and Wm. Shoe-
bottom, Deputies of London, vice Jackson and Lewis ; A. Armstrong,
vice D. Gibb; John Corbett and Andrew Erskine, of McGillivray;
A. W. Browne and Wm. Moore ; Joseph Wilson and C. G. Scott,
representing Strathroy ; Thomas Elliott, vice John Dawson, Deputy of
Williams West, and Malcolm G. Munroe, Reeve of Wardsville. The
other townships holding their representatives of 1870.
The changes in the Council of 1871 for 1872 show John Hodgins,
Reeve, and John Dagg, Deputy of Biddulph ; W. H. Niles, Deputy of
Dorchester ; C. J. Campbell, of Ekfrid ; Wm. Shoebottom, Reeve, with
S. T. Shoebottom, jr., Wm. Patrick, Wm. Kernohan and Thomas
Greene, Deputies of London; R H. O'Neil, Reeve of Lucan; R.
Brown, Reeve, and R. Moyle, Deputy of Metcalfe ; J. S. Walker and
James Banning, of Mosa ; J. B. Fram, Deputy of Nissouri W. ; Alex.
Robb, Reeve of Strathroy; Thomas Elliott, Reeve, and D. Brock,
Deputy of West Williams ; James Armstrong, Reeve of Westminster,
and S. McLeod, of Parkhill. Messrs. Murdock, Northcott, Seabrooke,
Dreaney, McFarlane, McKellar, Corbett, Brown, Waters and Munroe,
Reeves, with Wyley, McGugan, Shipley, Erskine, Scott, Levie, Little
and Jarvis, Deputies, holding over.
The County Council of 1873 and 1874 comprised the following
representatives : —
TOWNSHIP.
DEPUTIES.
Adelaide John Morgan John Wyley.
Biddulph John Hodgins John Dagg.
Caradoc G. McGugan Andrew McEvoy.
Delaware T. C. Rodgers
g4 HISTORY OF THE
TOWNSHIPS. REEVB*. DEPUTIES.
'— N g£S Sane". . ! ! ! ! ! [JMSSI*
'W. Shoebottor
W. Shoebottom, sr -< T. Greene, J. M. "O'Neil,
! '. '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. Andrew Erskine '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. J. Marr, J. Robinson.
Metcalfe ' Same as 1872
.B. Watterworth A. Armstrong.
Nissouri,' W I!'.'.'.'.. A. W. Browne James McLeod.
New bury Thomas Robinson
Parkhill.. Win. Shoults
Strathroy Alex. Robb Thomas Fawcett.
Williams E John Waters 13. C. Mclntyre.
Williams, W Andrew Elliott David Brock.
Wardsville M. G. Munroe m
Westminster James Armstrong E. S. Jarvis, J. McGregor.
TOWNSHIP. REEVES— 1874. DEPUTIES— 1874.
Adelaide John Morgan John Wyley.
Biddulph John Hodgins John Dagg.
Caradoc Andrew McEvoy Eli Griffith.
Delaware F. C. Rogers
Dorchester, N James B. Lane W. H. Niles.
Kkfrid . .Geo. J. Coulthard J. W. Campbell.
IWm. Kernohan, J. O'Neil,
London Thomas Routledge j j Peters> c w Sifton
Lucan Thomas Dight
Lobo Alex. McKellar L. E. Shipley.
Metcalfe Robert Brown Thomas Lightfoot.
Mosa. Ben. Watterworth Alex. Armstrong.
McGillivray .Andrew Erskine James Marr, J. Robinson.
Nissouri, W A. W. Browne James McLeod.
Newbury Wm. Clements
Parkhill Simon McLeod
Strathroy Charles Murray Alex. Robb.
Williams, E John Waters John Levie.
Williams, W Andrew Elliott
Wardsville W. D. Hammond
Westminster James Armstrong E. S. Jarvis, J. McGregor.
Lionel E. Shipley was elected Warden, succeeded in 1875 by John
Waters.
In 1875 Gilbert Harris was elected Keeve of Delaware ; Geo. C.
Elliot, of Ekfrid ; John M. O'Neil, of London; John Corbett, of Mc-
Gillivray ; William Rapley, of Strathroy ; E. E. Dobie, of Williams
W., Thomas English, of Wardsville ; John W. Campbell, of the new
town of Glencoe ; A. M. Eoss, of the new town of London East ; J.
D. Saunby, of the new town of Petersville, and Skackelton Hay, of
the new town of Ailsa Craig.
The Deputies were James Gilmour, of Dorchester ; H. Stevenson,
Ekfrid; A. D. Osborne, C. Guest, C. W. Sifton and John Peters,
London; J. W. Eosser and Wm. Dixon, of McGillivray; G. W.
Keast, of Nissouri; Chester G. Scott, of Strathroy; J. Mathers, with
McGregor, of Westminster, and Peter Allister, of London East. In
the other townships the Eeeves and Deputies of 1874 were returned.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 85
The Reeves of the Council of 1876 were : — John Morgan, John
Hodgins, A. M. McEvoy, Andrew Sharpe, J. B. Lane, Geo. C. Elliott,
J. M. O'Neil, A. McKellar, R Brown, B. Watterworth, John Corbett,
J. B. Fram, of Westminster; John Levie, East Williams; Thomas
Elliott, West Williams; Wm. Ripley, Strathroy; Thomas English,
Wardsville ; Thomas Robinson, Newbury ; Thomas Dight, Lucan ; W.
Shoiilts, Parkhill ; J. W. Campbell, Glencoe ; Murray Anderson,
London East ; J. D. Saunby, Petersville, and J. H. Priestly, Ailsa
Craig. The Deputy of Strathroy was : — F. J. Craig, and of London
East, Thomas Muir. Wm. Brock, John Dagg and Eli Griffith, were
Deputies of Adelaide, Biddulph, and Caradoc, respectively ; James
Gilmour, of Dorchester ; A. Stevens, of Ekfrid, A. D. Osborne, C. W.
Sifton, C. Guest, and W. Elliott, of London; while C. M. Simmons,
T. Lightfoot, A. Armstrong, J. W. Rosser, Wm. Dixon, John H.
Haynes, James Mathers, John Nixon, George Routledge, and Peter
Gordon, representing the other townships as Deputy-Reeves. James
Armstrong was elected Warden.
The changes in the Board of 1876 were : — Wm. Murdock vice
Morgan ; W. H. Ryan vice John Hodgins, with W. S. Stanley vice
Deputy Dagg ; T. Northcott vice A. M. McEvoy, with Jarnes Gamble
and Thomas Nagle, Deputies ; C. J. Campbell vice Elliott, of Ekfrid,
with James Pole, Deputy ; A. D. Osborne, of London, with J. M.
O'Neil, Charles Guest, R. Geary, and D. McMillan, Deputies ; Michael
Beckett vice Deputy Lightfoot, of Metcalfe ; J. Robinson vice John
Corbett, with James Marr, Deputy of McGillivray. James Armstrong
was still Reeve of London, with J. Nixon, John M cGregor, and G.
Routledge, Deputies. Trafford Campbell replaced Peter Gordon as
Deputy of Williams East ; W. H. Hutchins represented Parkhill ;
Nathaniel Currie, Glencoe ; T. G. S. Nevilles, Ailsa Craig, and Isaac
Waterman, of London East, with William Stanfield, Deputy. The
other townships and villages were represented as in 1876.
TOWNSHIP. REEVES— 1878. DEPUTIES — 1878.
Adelaide ................ John Wyley ............. James Thompson.
Biddulph ................ W. H. Ryan ............ W. D. Stanley.
Caradoc .................. Eli Griffith _____ .......... D. Leitch and M. McGugaii.
Delaware ................ Bruin Cornell ............
Dorchester North ......... J. B. Lane ........... James Gilmour.
Ekfrid ................... C. J. Campbell .......... Daniel McDougal.
Lobo ................... Alex. McKellar ........... C. M. Simmons.
A.D.Osbo»rne ...........
Metcalfe ................. Thomas Hughes ......... Michael Beckett.
Mosa ........ ............ B. Watterworth .......... Alex. Armstrong.
McGillivray .............. John Robinson .......... J. Marr, W. H. Taylor.
Nissouri West ............ J. B. Fram ............... J. H. Haynes.
Westminster ............. James Armstrong ......... {£ &/g
East Williams ............ John Levie ..... ......... Trafford Campbell.
West Williams ........... Thomas Elliott ........... John Barrett.
Strathroy ................ Wm. Rapley .............. D. M. Cameron.
86
HISTORY OF THE
VILLAGES.
REEVES— 1878.
DEPUTIES — 1878.
London East Isaac Waterman T. W. Bartlett.
Petersville A. J. B. Macdonald
Wardsville Thomas English
Newbury Alex. Graham
Glencoe N. Currie
Parkhill W. Shoults
Ailsa Craig T. G. S. Nevilles
Lucan W. H. Hutchins
The Reeves of the Council of 1879 were, in the alphabetical order
of townships: — John Morgan, W. H. Ryan, Malcolm McGugan,
Andrew Sharpe, James Gilmour, Allen Stevenson, L. E. Shipley,
Donald McMillan, succeeded by Thomas Routledge, B. Watterworth,
Mosa ; Thomas Hughes, Metcalfe ; John Robinson, McGillivray ; J.
B. Fram, Nissouri; James Armstrong, Thomas Shipley and Peter
Stewart. The village Reeves were F. J. Craig, Strathroy; I. Water-
man, London E. ; Thomas English, Wardsville, succeeded by William
Shepherd, N. Currie, Glencoe; Wm. Shoults, Parkhill; W. K
Atkinson, Ailsa Craig; W. S. Hutchinson, Lucan, succeeded by W.
Stanley, A. J. B. McDonald, Petersville, and Thomas Robinson,
Newbury. The Deputy- Reeves, in alphabetical order of townships,
were T. 0. Curry, Wm. D. Stanley, Dugald Leitch, Henry Sutherland,
not represented, John Durand, John A. Dobie, Robert Boston, of
Lobo ; Edward Robinson, Thomas Langford, R. W. Jackson and Joseph
Marshall, of London ; H. Gough, Metcalfe ; A. Armstrong, Mosa ;
James Marr and W. H. Taylor, McGillivray; Charles Fitzgerald,
Nissouri; Geo. Routledge, John Nixon and John McGregor, West-
minster; Arch. Campbell, Williams E., and John Barrett, Williams
W. D. M. Cameron was Deputy from Strathroy; J. W. Bartlett
and J. Wright from London East. The latter was succeeded by S. A.
Adams. James Gilmour was elected Warden.
The Council of 1880 was made up as follows :—
TOWNSHIP. REEVE. DEPUTY. VILLAGE.
Adelaide...
Biddulph...
. J. Morgan
. W. H. Ryan. . .
T. 0. Curry.
W. D. Stanley.
Strathroy . . .
Caradoc
. M. McGugan. . .
/D. Leitch.
\R. Cade.
London E. .
Delaware...
. A. Sharpe
ie
Dorchester .
Ekfrid
. J. Durand
James Pole
R. Venning.
J • .A.. JJOulC.
Wardsville'.
Lobo
C. M. Simmons
Robert Boston.
Newbury . .
Glencoe.
fE Robinson.
Parkhill
London. . . .
. T. Routledge . .
I T. Langford.
1 R. W. Jackson.
Ailsa Craig.. .
Lucan
U. Marshall.
Petersville . . .
Mosa
B. Watterworth
GM oTntvrp
Metcalfe....
Robert Brown . .
• JxlUlLl Ljr To*
Henry Gough.
McGillivray
J. Robinson
/J. Marr. "
\W. H. Taylor.
Nissouri . . .
J. B. Fram
G. W. Keast.
REEVE.
F. J. Craig.
D. M. Cameron, dep.
Isaac Waterman.
Chas. Lilley, dep.
Wm. Belton, dep.
. W. Shepherd.
Dr. Graham.
Nathaniel Currie.
W. Shoults.
J. Rosser.
. W. Stanley.
W. H. Bartram.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
87
TOWNSHIP.
REEVK.
Westminster J. Armstrong . .
Williams E.. T. G. Shipley.
Williams W. Peter Stewart.
DEPUTY.
{J. Nixon.
G. Routledge.
J. McGregor.
J. Mills.
A. Campbell.
John Barrett.
John Morgan was elected Warden, his vote being 25, against 19
for Watterworth and 5 for Craig.
The changes in the Council for 1881 are thus given: — Wm. D.
Stanley, Eeeve, with Samuel R. Hodgins, Deputy, of Biddulph;
Malcolm McGregor, Henry Sutherland and Thomas Nagle, of Cara-
doc; James H. Rouse, Deputy of Dorchester; John Mclntyre,
Deputy of Ekfrid ; Alex. McKeller, Reeve of Lobo ; Duncan Camp-
bell, Deputy of Mosa ; James Bennett, Deputy of Metcalfe ; Andrew
Robinson, Deputy of W. McGillivray ; A. W. Browne, Reeve, and
Alex. McMartin, Deputy of JSTissouri; John McEwen, Deputy of
Williams E. ; John Barrett, Reeve, and Angus McLachlin, Deputy of
Williams W. ; D. M. Cameron, Reeve, and James H. English, Deputy
of Strathroy ; Charles Lilley and Peter Toll, of London East ; Henry
Henderson, of Wardsville; John B. Anderson, of Newbury; Isaac
Rathburn, of Glencoe ; and Deputy John Platt, of Petersville. With
the above exceptions, the municipalities were represented as in 1880.
James Armstrong was elected Warden by a vote of 27, to 23 for
Routledge. In September, Daniel Black was elected Deputy of Lon-
don, vice Belton, deceased, and Kenneth Goodman, Reeve of Parkhill,
vice Shoults, resigned.
The Council of 1882 was composed of the following-named
Reeves and Deputy-Reeves : —
VILLAGE. REEVE.
Strathroy . ... D. M. Cameron.
" . ... J. H. English, dep.
. W. Rapley, dep.
London E. . J. W. Bartlett
" . Daniel Black, dep.
. James Legg, dep.
London W . . John Platt.
. W. Spencer, dep.
Wardsville . . . Thomas English.
Newbury J. B. Anderson.
Glencoe Nathaniel Currie.
Parkhill Kenneth Goodman.
Ailsa Craig. . . . Joseph Rosser.
Lucan Wm. Stanley.
TOWNSHIP.
Adelaide....
Biddulph.. .
Caradoc
Delaware. . , .
Dorchester . .
Ekfrid . . .
REEVE.
T. 0. Curry....
W. D. Stanley.
M. McGugan . .
A. Sharpe
John Durand. .
James Pole . . .
A. McKellar . . .
Jos. Marshall...
B. Watterworth
Robert Brown . .
W. H. Taylor..
E. Fitzgerald . .
J. Armstrong . .
T. G. Shipley. . .
Peter Stewart . .
DEPUTY.
Henry Dale.
S. R. Hodgins.
/D. Leitch.
\.T. Nagle.
/J. H. Rouse
\W. Watcher.
J. A. Dobie.
R. Boston.
{Peter Elson.
E. Robinson.
T. A. Langford.
R W. Jackson.
D. Campbell.
James Bennett.
fH. Darling.
\A. Robinson.
A. McMartin.
{J. McGregor.
J. Nixon.
G. Routledge.
J. Mills.
J. S. McEwen.
A. McLachlin.
Lobo
London
Mosa .....
Metcalfe.. . .
McGillivray
Nissouri —
Westminster
Williams E.
WilliamsW.
88 HISTORY OF THE
The Council of 1883 presents 26 new names and 24 names of the
Councillors of 1882. The new Eeeves are named as follows : — James
Gilmour, Dorchester ; Kobert Boston, Lobo ; Richard Moyle, Metcalfe ;
Duncan Campbell, Mosa ; James Marr, McGillivray ; John T.
Coughlin, Westminster ; John S. McEwen, Williams E. ; Simon
McLeod, Williams W. ; W. H. Bartram, London West ; J. H.
McRoberts, Lucan ; and Isaac Rathburn, Glencoe. The new Deputy
Reeves were William Turner, of Biddulph; Dugald Campbell, of
Caradoc, vice T. Nagle ; Wm. Turnbull, of Dorchester ; Zachariah
McCallum, of Ekfrid ; B. B. Harris, of Lobo ; Edward K. Sale, Robert
Dreaney and Thomas Robson, of London, Peter Elson being re elected ;
Singleton Gibb, of Mosa ; John Patching, of McGillivray, vice Darling ;
Robert Summers and Wm. H. Odell, of Westminster, vice McGregor
and Routledge ; D. A. Gillies, of Williams E. ; N. D. Wyley, of
Williams W. D. M. Cameron was elected Warden by a vote of 25,
against 23 recorded for Stanley.
The roll of the Council of 1884 by townships and villages, presents
the following names : —
TOWNSHIP. REEVES. DEPUTIES.
Adelaide ............... Duncan A. Campbell ...... Patrick Murray.
Biddulph ................. W. D. Stanley ............ Thomas E. Hodgins.
Caradoc .................. Malcolm McGugan ........ (?Uffp L!itch'
\.S. McCracken.
Delaware ................ Andrew Sharpe .........
Dorchester ............... James Gilmour ............ John McFarlane
Ekfrid ................... John Mclntyre ............ J. A. Dobie.
Lobo .................... Robert Boston .......... B. B. Harris.
London .................. Peter Elson ............. /*• Sngney?lTi R°b*on'
\R. E. Powell, J. Bell.
JJosa .......... ......... Duncan Campbell ......... Singleton Gibb.
JJetcafe ................. James Bennett ........... T. F. Hawken.
Mcbilhyray .............. James Marr ............. A. Robinson, J. Patchen.
Missouri .................. J- B. Fram ............... Thomas Chalmers.
Westminster .............. John T. Coughlin ........ ( J' N-^°° '/;, MTjlls'1
............ D. A. Gillies .............. &&2?"
Simon McLeod ............ Angus McLeish.
VILLAGE. REEVES. DEPUTIES
Ailsa Craig ............... D. F. Stewart..
Lucan ................... Wm. Elwood. . .
Glencoe .................. I. Rathburn
g?"J«yi ................ J- B. Anderson
Wardsville ............ E. Lilley
In the Council of 1885 were fourteen Eeeves and sixteen Deputv-
Reeves who served the previous year. The Reeves elected in 1885
were James Pole, of Ekfrid; B. Watterworth, of Mosa; Henry Gouoh
of Metcalfe; Andrew Robinson, of McGiUivray ; W. H. Odell, V
Westminster; Dr. J. H. Gardiner, of London E.; W. W. Fitzgerald
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 89
of London W. ; Joseph Eosser, of Ailsa Craig ; Nathaniel Currie, of
Glencoe, and William Shephard, of Wardsville. Of the new Deputy-
Eeeves, C. C. Hodgins represented Biddulph ; T. B. Warren, Metcalfe ;
John Bradley, vice A. Kobinson, McGillivray ; James Henderson,
Nissouri; Francis Elliott, vice Odell, Westminster; D. McKenzie,
Williams E. ; Wm. Eapley and James Bowley, Strathroy ; Peter Toll
and Geo. Heaman, London E., and Wm. Spence, London West.
The Council of 1886 comprised Duncan A. Campbell, Win. D.
Stanley, Malcolm McGugan, Andrew Sharpe, James Gilmour, James
Pole, Eobert Boston. Peter Elson, Benjamin Watterworth, Henry
Gough, Wm. H. Taylor, J. B. Fram, Wm. H. Odell, Trafford Campbell,
Simon McLeod, L. Cleverdon, W. W. Fitzgerald, Eichard Shoults,
Joseph Eosser, Wm. El wood, Nathaniel Currie, Dr. Graham, John Heath,
Eeeves ; and Patrick Murray, C. C. Hodgins, Dugald Leitch, Samuel
McCracken, Duncan McLaughlin. Bray Willey, Charles Simmons,
Eobert Dreaney, Thomas E. Eobson, Eichard A. Powell, James Bell,
William Webster, William S. Calvert, John Patchen, John Bradley,
James Henderson, John Nixon, James Mills, Francis Elliott, Barnabas
Skuse, David McKenzie, John G. James, Wm. Eapley, James Bowley,
E. F. Lacey, Deputy-Eeeves.
The Council of 1887 comprised Duncan A. Campbell, C. C. Hodgins,
Samuel McCracken, John Johnston, James Gilmour, John A. Dobie,
Peter Elson, Eobert Boston, Henry Gough, Benjamin Watterworth,
W7m. H. Taylor, Edward Fitzgerald, John T. Coughlin, Trafford Camp-
bell, Simon McLeod, Lawrence Cleverdon, James Campbell, Eobert
White, Nathaniel Currie, Joseph Eosser, Alex. Graham, M D., Wm.
Elwood, John Heath, Eeeves ; with Duncan Eobertson, P. J. Dewan,
James Gamble, Henry Hardy, James H. Eouse, Bray Willey, Eobert
Dieaney, Thomas E. Eobson, Eichard A. Powell, Eichard Ardiel, C. M.
Simmons, Wm. S. Calvert, Singleton Gibb, John Patchen, John Bradley,
Thomas Duffin, John Nixon, John Mills, Francis Elliott, Wm. Gerry,
Daniel A. Gillies, A. W. Augustine, Hector Urquhart, F. L. Harrison,
Thomas McGoey, Deputy-Eeeves.
The members of the Council of 1888 are named in the sketches of
the several municipalities.
In January, 1887, B. Watterworth, seconded by D. A. Campbell,
moved that the Petitioning Committee draft a petition to the
Legislature praying them to so amend the act relating to the franchise
and representation of the people, namely, chapter 2 of 48 Victoria,
section 7, so as to extend the privilege to wage earners of voting at
municipal elections as well as parliamentary.
On June 9, 1887, E. Boston, seconded by C. M. Simmons, moved
that the following members of this Council be a committee to draft an
address to Mr. Murray on his retirement from the Treasurership of this
County, and to report to this Council the best means of showing our
good will to Mr. Murray in some tangible form for his long and faith-
ful services, viz. : — Messrs. S. McLeod, James Gilmour, B. Watter-
90 HISTORY OF THE
worth, John T. Coughlin, Peter Elson, Trafford Campbell and the
mover.
On the same date the following applications for the situation of
County Treasurer were read : — James Grant, Lionel E. Shipley, Wm.
H. Odell, Alex. McKellar, Wm. D. Stanley, A. M. McEvoy, D. L.
Leitch, Francis Parker, and W. King Dixon.
A special meeting was held September 8, 1887, in answer to a
notice sent to each member by the Clerk, informing them that the
vacancy in the Municipal Council of Strathroy, by the continued
absence of Mr. Cleverdon, had been filled by the election of D. W.
Vary as Reeve, which caused a vacancy in the Wardenship of the
County, necessitating a meeting of the Council to elect a Warden. D.
A. Campbell, seconded by John Nixon, proposed that Simon McLeod,
Reeve of the Township of West Williams, be Warden of the County
for the remainder of the year in the room and stead of L. Cleverdon,
whose seat has been declared vacant by the Council of the local
municipality of Strathroy. In 1888 Warden McLeod was re-elected.
The salaries of the county officials, appointed by Council, as fixed
in 1887, are as follows :— Warden, $300; Jail Physician, $250 ;
Manager House of Refuge, $350; Matron, $150; Engineer, $400;
Janitor Court House and County Buildings, $450; County Treasurer,
$1,600; County Clerk, $700; Inspector House of Refuge, $200;
Physician House of Refuge, $200. The County Commissioner, for
actual service, $3.50 per day, and members of Council and auditors of
criminal justice accounts, $2 per day and mileage.
Early Items.— In 1842, John Wilson, Q. C , was elected first
Warden. John S. Buchanan succeeded him in 1845, and he was
succeeded by Wm. Niles, who held the position from 1847 until
1853, when John Scatcherd was chosen. Halcroft Church was
Warden in 1855 ; Thos. Moyle, in 1856 ; Robert Craik, 1857 ; Benj.
Cook, 1858-9 ; Arch. Campbell, 1860-2 ; Christopher Coombs, 1863 ;
M. S. Ayers, 1864; John H. Munro, 1865. M. S. Ayers was
elected Warden in January, 1866 ; R. Dreaney, in 1867 ; Thomas
Moyle, 1868; Thos. Routledge, 1869; Richard Tooley, 1870; John
Watterworth, 1871; Malcolm G. Munroe, 1872 (re-elected in 1873);
Lionel E. Shipley, 1874 ; John Waters, 1875 ; James Armstrong, 1876 ;
JohnLevie, 1877; James Gilmour, 1879; John Morgan, 1880; Jas.
Armstrong, 188 L; Joseph Marshall, 1882; D. M. Cameron, 1883;
W. D. Stanley, 1884; Malcolm McGugan, 1885, B. Watterworth,
1886; Lawrence Cleverdon, 1887. In September, 1887, Simon
McLeod was elected, vice Cleverdon.
County Buildings.— On October 15, 1792, an act for building a
jail and court-house in every district of Upper Canada, and for alter-
ing the name of such districts was passed. Later, when the District of
London was organized, a building was erected in Charlettetown, and in
October, 1316, Thomas Talbot, Robert Nichol, and John Backhouse,
were authorized to enclose and paint this building, known as the
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 91
" Jail and Court-house," and to procure funds to pay for same. On
March 19, 1823, the magistrates of the district were authorized to
raise £1,000 to aid in finishing this jail and court-house, which was
used until partially destroyed by fire. Contemporary with the District
Court-house, there were several Magistrates' Courts scattered through-
out the district, and among the number was the Westminster Court-
house— a log building at Springbank, where Squires Springer and
Ingersoll dispensed justice in 1825.
Under a special act of January 30, 1826, a town was ordered to be
surveyed at the forks of the Thames, of which four acres were to be
reserved for a jail and court-house. Thomas Talbot, Mahlon Bur-
well, James Hamilton, Charles Ingersoll, and John Matthews, of Lobo,
were appointed Commissioners to erect a jail and court house ; to
raise funds by taxation, and to borrow £4,000. The Commissioners
were ordered to meet at St. Thomas and organize in March, 1826.
St. Thomas was then a pretentious settlement, and made a determined
effort to secure the seat of justice ; but O'Brien's settlement won, and
the work of building commenced in 1826-7. The first court-house
stood upon the same square whereon the present one stands, but was
located closer to the street ; and after the construction of the new
building the old one was moved to the bank of the hill by the con-
tractor. It was a two-story frame building, and in one end were placed
two cells, these being rendered more secure by placing logs around the
cells, from which the building acquired the distinctive title of the
" Old Log Court-house."
On January 14, 1830, bills aggregating £1,114 15s. Od, were
approved for work done on the court-house at London. An order was
issued to the Treasurer to insure both jail and court-house for £4,000.
John Evart agreed to complete furnishing the court-house.
In January, 1830, the magistrates issued the following order to
the Jailor : — " That the Jailor do furnish to the prisoners confined in
the London District Jail the following quantity and quality of pro-
visions, namely, of meat one pound each person per day, of bread one
and a-half pounds to each, with potatoes and other vegetables in
season, and in such quantities as may be judged wholesome by the
Jailor of said District."
In April, 1830, the Court ordered " that the jail limits do extend
to Dundas street, and include the lots on each side of said street from
Lots 16 to 24 inclusive, the whole of the public square, the street
between the public square and McGregor's westward to the end of the
square, Eidout street from Dundas to southern boundary of McGregor's
lot, and the lots on each side of Bidout street as far as McGregor's lot
extends — containing 16 acres."
John Harris, Treasurer of the District, was granted £50 for his
services in procuring moneys for building jail and court-house, and
purchasing books for accounts against the lands of absentees.
»
HISTORY OF THE
In this month also a painter, named Craig, was allowed £11 15s. Od.
for painting the coat-of-arms for the court room. In July, a short
time before the opening of the assizes, two pine tables, three octagon
tables and thirty common chairs were ordered for the the court-room.
James Hamilton, one of the Commissioners to York in 1830 to negotiate
a loan, asked remuneration, but the magistrates denied the request.
In April, 1831, John Ewart was allowed £237 for re-building the
house hitherto erected as the temporary jail on the town plot of
London.
In 1835, it was ordered that the two rooms in the basement story
of the Court-house be cleaned, one to be occupied by the Sheriff', and
that the Sheriff's room adjoining the Clerk's office, formerly occupied
by the Treasurer, be set off as the office of the District Court Clerk.
On July 13, 1838, a survey of the site for the proposed new jail on
the John Kent grounds was ordered. In April, 1839, the Government
was petitioned to grant a site. In April, 1839, a Committee of the
€ourt reported in favor of locating the new jail on lots 1, 2, 3, 4 and
5, on the north side of East North street, and on lots 2, 3, 4 and 5, on
the south side of Duke street, comprising the elevated grounds south
•of the artillery barracks. The acquisition of this property was ordered
by purchase or otherwise, but never carried out.
On November, 1843, the Jail Committee reported £2,024 7s. Od.
paid out on account of the new jail, leaving £1,009 2s. 7d. due on
estimates. In February, 1844, Chairman Lawrason presented a report
from his Committee, showing that the total expenditure was £5,504-
lls. 4d. for giving to the District an odd feudal structure resembling
the Castle of Malahide, near Dublin. The idea was to please Col.
Talbot, and it had plenty of followers, for notwithstanding the lessons
of the Rebellion, class idolatry still existed. In November, 1847, Dr.
McKenzie was appointed Surgeon of the jail, vice Dr. Lee, deceased.
Dr. Phillips, his opponent, received twelve of the thirty votes cast.
From 1861 to 1867 the Government paid into the Treasury of Middle-
sex $3,663.53 for court-house and jail purposes, out of the Building-
Fund. In June, 1868, a petition from the City of London asking per-
mission to ornament the court-house grounds was granted, and the
fence and other incumbrances ordered to be removed before November
1, that year. To this date the people look back for the limited, but
neat grounds, which lay before the court-house. From January 1, to
November 25, 1868, there were 372 city prisoners, and 154 county
prisoners. The various improvements made in the County buildings,
such as that made under the Broadbent and Overell contract, of
January 25, 1878, are noted in the history of London,
The House of Refuge.— In the earlier years of this District public
charity existed in a very rude form. Even poor widows were publicly
sold to the highest bidder, the proceeds of the sale entering the District
Treasury, while the unfortunate white slaves had to work for their
white masters without hope of pay. The imbecile or others unable to
ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
93
support themselves were placed in charge of some person who would
be willing to give them food and clothes for a nominal sum ; but as
civilization advanced a methodical system of relief was provided ; and
later still a better system was instituted. On Oct. 5, 1847, a com-
mittee, of which John Burwell was Chairman, reported in favor of
building a House of Industry under the power by Statute of Seventh
William IV., Chap. 24. Many looked upon this proposition favorably ;
but remembering the old immigrant hospitals on the Hamilton Road
and at Wardsville, the majority voted contra.
On Jan. 25, 1867, another report on the expediency of erecting a
House of Kefuge was presented ; but treated with a coldness that
•destroyed the hopes of its supporters. In 1875 the cost of maintaining
the indigent was $1,177.52; in 1876, $1,127.75, and in 1877-8,
when there were 110 resident indigents and a number of stragglers,
$5,249.22. In June, 1878, a committee of the Council was appointed
to examine the question of supporting the poor, and this one, like its
predecessors, reported in favor of building and maintaining a Poor
House. The Council ultimately decided on building, with the result
of giving to the county the excellent institution just west of Strathroy.
The expenditures, too, have grown, for in 1886 there were 128
inmates, including the keeper, matron and family, who cost the county
$31,775; and in 1887, 133 inmates, costing $32,104. The house may
be said to be governed by a board of visitors, one of whom, County
Clerk McKenzie, gives the Institution much time and attention.
In December, 1871, the question of establishing a hospital in
•connection with the House of Refuge, according to the will of the
deceased William Lambert, was before the Council.
In June, 1880, the new building at Strathroy, known as the
House of Refuge, was reported almost complete, according to the plans
made by T. H. Tracy. The committee recommended that Arch.
Ballantyne and his wife Agnes be appointed keeper and matron
respectively, the former at $200 and the latter at $100 per annum ;
that Dr. Robert A. Stevenson, of Strathroy, be physician, at a salary of
$110, and Dr. D. G. McKenzie inspector, at $100. J. Baskerville was
-appointed engineer. The cost of the 46 J acres purchased from James
Holden was $3,300 ; to W. J. Fawcett, for main building, $17,562 ; to
L. G. Joliffe, for steam heating, $3,300, and to Isaiah Ellis, C. J.
Frank, John Newton, James D. Bowlby, for sundry work, $1,041 ; or
A total, exclusive of furniture, amounting to $25,203.
In December, 1880, John Morgan, Warden, and D. G. McKenzie,
County Clerk, signed By-law No. 341, for governing the House.
The construction and operating expenses up to November 18, 1881,
amounted to $34,413.96. There were 108 admissions, including 13
from Lambton County. The value of farm products was $1,007.65,
of which $18.38 worth was sold.
During the year 1882 there were 94 inmates in the House of
Refuge from this county, and 20 from Lambton County, of whom 15
94 HISTORY OF THE
died, 19 absconded, 15 were discharged and 65 remained. The
maintenance account was $7,529.74, of which, products of farm yielded
$1,627.49.
Asylum for the Insane. — This institution was taken possession
of and occupied on the 18th November, 1870. The transfer of the
patients from the Orillia Asylum, comprising 46 men and 73 women,
was safely accomplished on that day by steamer to Belle Ewart,
Northern Railway to Toronto, and Grand Trunk Railway to London.
On the 23rd November, the Maiden patients, consisting of 120 men
and 123 women, arrived per steam transport to Windsor, and thence
by Great Western Railway to London. The total number of patients
transferred from Maiden and Orillia to the London Asylum was
therefore 363, viz. : — 166 men and 197 women. The officers in
charge were Dr. Henry Landor, Superintendent; Dr. Stephen Lett,
Assistant, and Miss Warren, Matron. At this time, J. W. Laugmuir
was Government Inspector. In 1871 the refuge for adult idiots was
established, the Government appropriating $10,000 for buildings. The
original house was begun in June, 1869. The location is admirable in
every respect. A little over two miles distant from the city post office,
with a street railroad reaching within easy walking distance, it is con-
venient. The site is 11 7 feet above the river, sloping to the east and to
the west. Toward both points the rainwater flows, and toward both,
portions of the sewage are directed. The southern slope is, at the
Lodge 1,200 feet distant, seven feet lower than at the building ; sew-
age, however, cannot be applied by gravitation to the land, as the
inclination of the land is not sufficient for that purpose. There are no
nuisances of any description near the site, nor is it offensively over-
looked by roads or footpaths, so that the privacy essential to the
comfort of the insane can be maintained.
Dr. Landor, who for three years had charge of the Asylum at
Maiden and for nine years of that at London, died in 1877, when Dr.
Lett was appointed temporary Superintendent. Dr. R. M. Bucke was
installed in that position Feb. 15, that year, and for over a decade has
managed the institution with rare ability. When he took charge
there were 598 patients actually in the house. W. G. Metcalfe was
Assistant Superintendent; T. J. W. Burgess, Assistant Physician;
R. Mathison, Bursar ; R. Hardy, Steward, and Mrs. Pope, Matron In
1878, Dr. N. H. Beemer was appointed second Physician, and T. Short,
Bursar. In 1879, Dr. Burgess was Assistant Superintendent, with Dr'
Beemer first and Dr. T. Millman second Physician The important
changes m the staff since that date include the appointment of Dr
Sippi, Bursar; Dr. Robinson, first, Dr. Beemer, second, and Dr. Foster
third Assistant; Mr. Wanless, Storekeeper, Dr. O'Rielly beiu* In-
spector of Asylums.
total admissions to Provincial Asylums, since the institution of
the nrst one in 1841, including the admissions of 1885, numbered
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 95-
12,055. Of this total, the following table gives the social state,
nationality, and of religious profession : —
Of total admissions,
including transfers.
SOCIAL STATE.
Married 5, 998
Unmarried , 6,057
12,055
NATIONALITIES.
Canadian 5,062
English 1 , 694
Irish , . 2,986
Scotch 1,280
United States 386-
Other countries and unknown 647
12.05&
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
Church of England 2,997
Roman Catholic 2,669'
Presbyterian 2,506
Methodist 2,223
Other denominations or unknown 1, 660
12,055
The total number of inmates at London, in this year, was 1,031,.
although the statistics for September give 907. This last number may
be considered the average annual insane population of the London
District, down to the close of 1888.
The present system, which generally ignores the use of mechani-
cal restraints and banishes alcohol, was introduced by Dr. Bucke,
eight years ago. Its results are shown by figures. During the five
years succeeding the establishment of the asylum here, only 37 per
cent, of the patients were discharged as cured; the following five
years the percentage reached 41, and under the salutary system of the
present superintendency, the percentage is 45. For the same periods,
the death rate was 5.50 per cent., 4.50 per cent., and 4.35 per cent,
respectively. A portion of the asylum buildings was destroyed by
fire, December 2, 1887, entailing a loss of about $60,000. In 1888,
the work of re -building was carried out, and the erection of the Bursar's
residence completed.
Scott Act. — The petition that the Scott Act be submitted to the
voters of Middlesex was signed by 5,671 persons, and presented to
Sheriff Glass by D. H. Williams and Kev. G. H. Henderson, Novem-
ber 5, 1884. The Council lost little time in granting this petition,
and in appointing James Grant Eeturning Officer for the election,
which was ordered to be held in June, 1885. This election was held.
A summarized table of the voting in the county is subjoined, giving
the number of votes polled for and against, and the number of
votes rejected : —
96 HISTORY OF THE
For Against. Rejected.
Adelaide ........................................ 238 62 0
Biddulph ..................................... 171 206 1
Caradoc ....................................... ||7
North Dorchester ................................ J24 168 8
:::::::::: 239 86
n ......... 350 74 4
... 718 353 16
::::::•;::::.:.. 205 29 2
.
McGillivray ..................................... 398
WestNissouri ................................... 348 101
Westminster .................................... JJJ
East Williams ................................ 204 21
West Williams .................................. 150 29 0
Strathroy Town .................................. 232 109 2
London East ................................. 264 1/5
London West ...... , ............................. 124 73 4
AilsaCraig ..................................... 84 24
Parkhill ....................................... H7 56
Wardsville ..................................... 42 16
Newbury ..................................... 43
Glencoe ........................................ 64 45
Lucan .......................................... 52 51 J>
Total ................................. 5,755 2,370 57
RECAPITULATION.
For.
West Middlesex ......................................................... 1,041
North Middlesex ......................................................... 922
East Middlesex ....................................... . ................ 1,388
Total majority ......................................... 3,351
London city had nothing whatever to do in this transaction, and it
'is remarkable that a greater number of staggering libels on humanity
may be seen in any of the incorporated towns of the county where the
act is in force, than in the city where the old law is well observed.
Under the former Tavern and Shop License Act, the amount
received for licenses, transfers, removals and fines in the City of Lon-
don from May 1st to December 31st, 1881, was $8,541.68 ; London
Township, $1,500; North Dorchester, $420; London West, $540;
Westminster, $1,320; London East, $1,375; West Nissouri, $300;
East Williams, $180 ; McGillivray, $105.81 ; Adelaide, $180 ; Bid-
dulph, $300; Ailsa Craig, $423.75; Lobo, $240; Parkhill, $780;
Lucan, $480 ; West Williams, $120 ; Ekfrid, $240 ; Strathroy, $1,400 ;
Wardsville, $225 ; Metcalfe, $240 ; Delaware, $180 ; Caradoc, $300 ;
Olencoe, $360 ; Mosa, $60 ; Newbury, $255.
Of these amounts the following sums were paid to municipalities :
London city, $5,266.68 ; London Township, $817.21 ; North Dorchester,
$225.19; London West, $403.43; Westminster, $719.14; London
East, $1,019.93; West Nissouri, $163.43; East Williams, $86.16;
McGillivray, $88.55; Adelaide, $86.16; Biddulph; $143.60; Ailsa
Craig, $259.53 ; Lobo, $114.88; Parkhill, $558.44; Lucan, $292.32;
West Williams, $57.44; Ekfrid, $118.40 ; Strathroy, $954.13 ; Wards-
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 97
ville, $133.80 ; Metcalfe, $118.40 ; Delaware, $88.80 ; Caradoc, $148 ;
Glencoe, $238.40; Mosa, $29.60; Newbury, $163.80.
The fines collected for breaches of the law for 1880-81 were: —
London city, $1,010, against $538.25 in 1879-80 ; East Middlesex,
$520, against $340 in 1879-80 ; North Middlesex, S60 against $220 in
1879-80 ; West Middlesex, $140, against $20 in 1879-80.
The number of persons committed to the county jail for drunken-
ness were :— In 1876. 155 ; 1877, 106; 1878,211; 1879,193; 1880,
335; 1881,210.
For the year 1880-81, the London Inspector received $800 salary.
The amounts paid in respect of Commissioner's expenses and salaries of
Inspectors in the three license districts of the county were: — East
Middlesex, $734.49 ; North Middlesex, $520.68 ; West Middlesex,
$577.44.
I
98 HISTORY OF THE
CHAPTER VI.
POLITICS FROM 1788 TO 1888.
On July 24, 1788, Upper Canada was set off into four Districts, by
order of Lord Dorchester, issued at St. Louis Castle, Quebec :— -Lunen-
burg, the first, extended from the Ottawa to the Gananoque, later known
as the Thames; Mecklinburg comprised the territory between the
Gananoque and the Trent rivers; Nassau embraced the country
between the Trent and Long Point, on Lake Erie, while Hesse was the
name extended over the remainder of Western Canada, and the country
around Detroit. Richard Duncan was Judge of the first ; Richard
Cartwright, vice Stewart, of the second ; Robert Hamilton of the third,
and, it is alleged, William Robertson, of Detroit, was commissioned
Judge of Hesse. In naming these Districts, it was Dorchester's
intention to place the Palatines (who were refugees in Limerick
County, Ireland,) in all judicial and executive offices ; but wiser
counsel prevailed, and the' men named were given the positions of
District Judges.
Governor John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant-Governor of
Ontario, was installed July 8, 1792, at Kingston, when James Baby,
William Osgood, William Robertson, Alex. Grant and Peter Russell
were named as the first Executive Council. On July 17, that year,
Robert Hamilton and Richard Cartwright, jr., one of them a former
District Judge, with Richard Duncan, also a Judge, John Munroe and
Thomas Fraser, were summoned, in addition to the Executive Council,
to form the Legislative Council. About this time Duncan was guilty
of some fraudulent transaction, and fleeing to Schenectady, N. Y.,
never returned to share legislative honors. About this time, also,
Robertson moved out of Detroit, and started his store at Sandwich ;
and the honor of making money at that point he esteemed higher than
any legislative favor. Four days after the opening of the Council the
first Governor set out toward Niagara ; but prior to leaving Kingston,
in fact, before he convened the Legislative Council, he divided the
new Province into counties, for legislative purposes or representation.
At Newark, the new capital at the mouth of the Niagara, he pre-
sided over the Executive Council, September 29, 1792. At this time
Major Littlehales was his Military Secretary ; Lieut. Thomas Talbot,
Provincial Aide-de-Camp ; Gray, Solicitor-General; Small, Clerk of
the Executive Council; Wm. Jarvil, Civil Secretary; Peter Russell,
Receiver-General; D. W. Smith, Surveyor-General, with Thomas
Ridout and Wm. Chewitt, Assistant Surveyors.
The Legislative Council was convened Oct. 9, 1792, and continued
the meeting until the 15th in the building used at periods by
Catholics and Protestants as a place of worship, with Peter Clark,
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 99
Secretary ; John G. Law, Usher of the Black Kod ; Col. John Butler,
of the Rangers, Superintendent of the Indian Department ; and John
White, Attorney-General. This Parliament was a strange mixture of
pure, unadulturated democracy and aristocracy. The people, at the
August elections, refused to select half-pay officers, choosing men
instead who dined at the same table with their employes. The names
of the first elected members of this Niagara Parliament are as follows :
—John McDonnell, of Glengary, Speaker; James Baby, Joshua
Booth, Alexander Campbell, Jerry French, Ephraim Jones, Hugh
McDonnell, Wm. Macomb, Ben. Pawling, Nathaniel Pettit, David
William Smith, Hazleton Spencer, John Young, Isaac Swazy, John
White and Philip Dorland. The last named being a Quaker, refused
to take the oath. His seat was declared vacant, when Peter Van
Alstine was elected. Angus McDonnell was Clerk and Eev. Eobert
Addison, Chaplain.
The members above named ' represented the following nineteen
counties established by Governor Simcoe's proclamation of July 16,
1792 : — Glengary, Stormont, Dundas, Greenville, Leeds, Frontenac,
Ontario, Addington, Lenox, Prince Edward, Hastings, Northumberland,
Durham, York, Lincoln, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent. Glengary
was entitled to two members ; Kent, which comprised all the country
to the Hudson Bay, two members ; Suffolk and Essex one member,
and so on, all claiming sixteen members, only a few of whom attended.
This democratic assembly made short work of Dorchester's Dutch
nomenclature. The last of the eight acts passed and approved pro-
vided for building a jail in each of the four Districts, and for changing
the names of such Districts — Lunenburg to be known as the Eastern
District, Mecklenburg as the Midland, Nassau as the Home, and Hesse
as the Western. The five sessions of this Parliament were held at
Newark, or Niagara.
The second Parliament opened at York (Toronto), May 16th, 1797,
with Peter Russell presiding. During the second session, opened in
July, 1798, the re-districting of the Province was effected. Eight
Districts of 23 counties and 158 townships were set off. The Districts
were named Eastern, Johnson, Midland, Newcastle, Home, Niagara,
London, and Western.
In the days of Pitt and Castlereagh the home Government looked
westward across the Atlantic and formed up in imagination a Canada
with hereditary dukes, marquises, lords, earls, knights, merchants,
traders, peasants and paupers. Dorchester had tried a German
nomenclature in Upper Canada before this, with the object of giving a
•ducal house to each of the four Districts. Simcoe anglicized the plan
so as to enlarge the number of ducal houses and create a number of
counts, or baronial lords, but each disappeared. Rochefaucault, the
French economist, visited Niagara during the days of Simcoe's legis-
lature, and, while amused at many things, could not fail to express his
approval of the Governor's ideas of government. He says : — " The
100 AlSTORY OF THE
maxims of government professed by General Simcoe are very liberal
and fair ; he detests all arbitrary and military government without the
walls of the fort, and desires liberty in its utmost latitude, so far as is
consistent with the constitution and law of the land. He is, therefore,
by no means ambitious of investing all power and authority in his
own hands, but consents to the Lieutenants, whom he nominates for
each county the right of appointing the justices of the peace and
officers of the militia."
The Lieutenant Governors, Presidents or Administrators of Upper
Canada, from its establishment as a Province in 1792 to the Union
with Lower Canada in 1841, are named as follows: — Lord John
Graves Simcoe, 1792 ; Lieutenant Governor Peter Russell, President
of Council, 1796 ; Gen. Peter Hunter, L. G., 1799 ; Alexander Grant,
P. C., 1805 ; Lord Francis Gore, L. G, 1806; Sir Isaac Brock, P. C.,
1811; Sir R Halesheaf, P. C., 1812; Baron de Rottenburg, P. C.,
1813; Sir G. Drummond, L. G. 1813; Sir George Murray, L G.,
1815; Sir F. P. Robinson, L. G, 1815; Lord Gore, L G., 1815;
Samuel Smith, Administrator, 1817 ; Sir Peregrine Maitland. L. G.,
1818 ; Samuel Smith, Administrator, 1820 ; Sir Peregrine Maitland,
L. G., 1820 ; Sir John Colborne, L. G., 1828 ; Sir F. B. Head, L. G.,
1836; Sir John Colborne, Administrator, 1838; Sir George Arthur,,
L. G., 1838 ; and Baron Sydenham and Toronto, Oct. 1839. The
latter was appointed Governor of the United Provinces, Feb. 10, 1841.
During all the years from 1792 to 1841, the political history of
Canada does not show one act of the governing classes which resulted
in public good, if such special legislation as that of 1831 be excepted.
Many of the men sent here to govern came to gratify a craving for
travel, or to serve some private end. Simcoe appears to be
enthusiastic and earnest in his intentions, until he learned how im-
practicable they were. The others were baby statesmen, having but
one idea, that of sustaining the few in luxury at the expense of the
many in want. The act abolishing slavery in 1793-4 was a senti-
mental one, as there were not fifty slaves in Upper Canada to be set
free, and they had to remain with their masters under specified condi-
tions. The land grants were gigantic swindles, from which the
country took many years to recover. In military affairs the capture
of Detroit and other posts, referred to in the military chapter, brought
glory to the British Governor ; but this glory disappeared in smoke in
1813, near Moravian Town, on the Thames.
Concessions or Land Grants — The term concession dates back to
1665, when the 2,200 French residents along the St. Lawrence were
supplemented by 800 troops or De Carignan's famous infantry. After
the defeat of the Iroquois was accomplished by this commander, per-
mits were issued to them to retire from service, on condition that they
would settle in New France, and to both men and officers lands were
granted, and sums of money bestowed to assist in clearing and culti-
vating their grants. In addition to this paternal act of the French
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
101
King, a number of intelligent girls, with some of their male relatives,
were induced to visit Canada with the object of marriage and house-
keeping. From the original population of 2,200 or 2,500, the military,
and the immigrants, the great race known to-day as French Canadians
sprung, and from the grants of 1667-9, the title "concession" came
into general use.
The first grant of land in Upper Canada was granted on petition to
Eobert Chevalier de La Salle, in 1674. The grant included all the
country round Fort Frontenac, of Kingston or Cataraqui ; one of the
conditions being that he should build a church at any time the popu-
lation will reach 100 persons, and then entertain one or two Eecollet
priests to perform Divine service and administer the sacraments.
This condition was suggested by La Salle himself and carried out
religiously, even before he built Fort Niagara. This grant was four
leagues square, and included the islands along its whole front. The
last concession or seigniory in Quebec was made to Chevalier de
Longeuil, at New Longeuil, near the western boundary of that province
in April, 1734.
In 1817 the legislative body of Upper Canada entered on an
investigation of the relation of Crown and clergy reserves to the
welfare of the Province ; but, at the moment when this investigation
had reached the point of usefulness, the Governor's order proroguing
Parliament took effect. There were several land deals too patent,
however, to be hidden from the people, and the question whether the
authorities intended to benefit the people or a few favorites held
possession of the public mind until most of the unjust discriminations
against the great majority of inhabitants in land matters were removed.
In 1791 Sir William Pulleney purchased 1,500,000 acres at one
shilling, or about 25 cents per acre, the cash payment being nominal.
Before Governor Simeoe's administration ended he sold about one-half
of this immense estate at eight shillings, or $2, per acre, but the grant
was not made during Simcoe's time. At this time the surveyed lands
of Upper Canada approximated 17,000,000 acres, and of this great
area there were scarcely 1,600,000 acres open to actual settlers and
for roads. Of this small remainder 1,150,000 for 450,000 acres were
for roads. Acting Surveyor-General Radenhurst solemnly declared
that 650,000 acres were inferior in quality of soil or in situation, and
that other Government grants would swallow up the remaining half
million of acres.
How were the 17,000,000 of acres disposed of? In 1791 the
Constitutional Act created the " Clergy Reserves." This granted to
the Established Church over 3,000,000 acres of selected land in 200-
acre tracts, or about one-seventh of all Crown grants, or, to make it
clearer, one-eighth of every township. This act in practice gave
one-sixth of all the lands to the clergy, or 300,000 acres more than
the legal quantity, which yielded £317,000 sterling, or £45,000 over
the value of the legal allotment. All this was done under the rules of
the Land Office Department, dated February 17, 1789.
102 HISTORY OF THE
To discharged soldiers and sailors 450,000 acres were granted ; to
militia, 730,000 acres ; to magistrates and barristers, 225,000 acres ; to
executive councillors, their wives and children, 136,000 acres ; to five
legislative councillors, their wives and children, 50,000 acres; to
clergymen, 36,900 acres for private use ; to survey contractors, 264,000
acres ; to army and navy officers, 92,526 acres ; to Col. Talbot, 48,520
acres (ultimately swelled to 700,000 acres) : to the heirs of General
Brock (who fell at Queenstown Heights, Oct. 12, 1812), 12 acres ;* to
Dr. Mountain, late English Church Bishop at Quebec, 12,000 acres.
The Canada Company, owners of a large area in Middlesex in 1831,
comprised Charles Bosanquet, Governor; Edward Ellice, M. P.,
Deputy-Governor; Robert Biddulph, Robert Downie, M.P., John
Easthope, M.P., John Fullerton, Win. T. Hibbert, John Hullett, Hart
Logan, James McKillop, M.P., Martin T. Smith, M.P., Henry Usborne
and Charles Franks. Their agent at Aldborough was T. G. Bethune.
In this manner the grants were made, the greater part falling into the
hands of speculators by transfer of certificate, or held by men who
would neither cultivate nor sell. Indeed, it was one of Pitt's wild
schemes to establish a nobility and landed aristocracy in a land
destined for a pure democracy.
To the United Empire Loyalists, who made their homes in
Ontario prior to 1787, and to their children, 3,200,000 acres were
granted. This was done under the resolution of 1783. These forests
were surveyed, but the lots were not numbered, and in the summer
and fall of 1784 the whole lake front was alive with refugees and
others, each waiting to fill his location ticket or tickets.
Even Arnold, known as "The Traitor," received a grant of 18,000
acres and £10,000, and in 1804 the whole Township of Tyendinaga
was purchased from the Mississaugas, and in 1804 deeded to John
Deserontyon, Chief, for the use of the Mohawks, or Six Nations.
The first surveys in Upper Canada were begun by Deputy Sur-
veyor John Collins in 1783 along the St. Lawrence, in the Cataraqui
neighborhood. The lots in general were twenty chains in width, but a
few were only 19, so that some lots had to be given a greater depth, thus
necessitating a greater width for concessions. At that time, Samuel
Holland was Survey or- General. Collins and others held responsible
positions, while under the deputies were other deputies, who would
survey a township with as little physical or mental labor as it was
possible for him to expend without the risk of losing his position.
In 1793, large grants were made to Squire Ingersoll in Oxford, to
Wm. Reynolds in Dorchester, and to Ebenezer Allen in Delaware,
references to which are made in the chapter on pioneers and in the
sketches of Dorchester and Delaware.
Rebellion 1837-8. — Of the men who first came here in adventurous
youth, but few remain to tell the tales of living in a cabin or lying
*This Is no doubt a mistake, but the number of acres granted to Gen. Brock's heirs is
not known to the writer.
COUXTY OF MIDDLESEX. 103
down to sleep with Heaven's canopy for a covering, and the howls of
wolves for a lullaby. All the past seems but a phantom of the mind
— a creation of some idle moment — when compared with the realities
of to-day ; yet such is the history of this progress, and of this civiliza-
tion. The scenes of the past eight decades are but a repetition in the
main, of the vast work of development that has been going on for
hundreds of years, and which, during the last century turned its course
toward the mighty West. The French, of course, led civilization's
warfare ; then came the United Empire Loyalists — a branch of the
Yankee people — who are forever fond of change and new scenes, and
for whom a pioneer life was replete in a certain wild enjoyment ;
next came the Irish and Scotch Celts, followed by the Norman and
Anglo-Saxon. The Celts were driven hither by the legalized restraints
and incumbrances which obstructed progress at home, and came with
the object of perpetuating the Celtic idea of liberty, as their friends
did in the old Dominion ; but they were followed by the Teutons, who
were not slow to establish the Teutonic method of Government. Soon
the French and Yankee elements of this part of Canada were merged
into the Celtic, and with that element fought Liberty's battle up to
1838, when it was forced to succumb in the field to the superior organi-
zation and power of the Teuton ; only to succeed a few years later by
the power of moral force, and win for Canada the laws in which
Canadians take such pride.
. In the fall of 1837 a political meeting was held across the river,
at Nathan Griffith's, in Westminster, to protest against the action of
the Tories and Orangemen in breaking up the Reform meeting at
Bay ham, on September 28th, that year. The Radicals came prepared
to resist any such procedure, for, when the Orange legions, led by
John Jennings, swept down toward the head meeting, about seventy
of this crowd held a meeting first ; but as the Reformers appeared the
Tories fled, and the Liberals claimed that the day brought victory to
them. The enemy dispersed ; the meeting discussed not one, but two
attacks upon public freedom. A few days later a petition was
presented to Sheriff Hamilton by Doyle McKenny and others, asking
that officer to take such steps as may be considered necessary to stop
all future public (Reform) meetings. The old Liberal, then published'
at St. Thomas, by John Talbot, in an editorial speaks of this petition
as follows : — " While the Tories could keep down the Reformers with
their war clubs, all was well, no Sheriff was called upon to protect the
Radicals; but when the brave men of Middlesex determined upon
defending themselves, then the Tory cry was raised ' The constitution
is in danger.' " A facetious description of the Westminster meeting
follows, wherein it is stated that Mahlon of the Basket, and Larry, of
of the Tribe of Lawrence, fought and ran away.
Many such meetings were held throughout Canada ; but, as a rule,
the forces of the dominant party caused disturbance enough to break
up the meeting, and, when safe, deliberately scattered the people with
batons or arms.
104 HISTORY OF THE
During the winter of 1837-8 the political disability under which
the people of Canada labored urged a few nobler than the rest to rush
to arms and abolish the wrong. The leader of the men of Upper
Canada was William Lyon Mackenzie, and of Lower Canada M.
Papineau. They were undeniably honest, and each had worked him-
self into a just rage over the evils which surrounded the people and
the state of serfdom to which the secret society known as " The Family
Compact " had subjected them.
A mile below Prescott is an old windmill, a round stone tower, with
loopholes in the walls, which is now used as a lighthouse. Fifty-one
years ago, in November, it was occupied by a party of Patriots. Under
the leadership of Von Schultz, a Polish soldier, the Patriots held the
mill for several days against the British force, commanded by Colonel
Dundas. During the assault the opposite shore was lined with
sympathizing spectators, who cheered when the military were repulsed.
But the windmill was captured, . and ten of the hundred and ten
prisoners taken were court-martialled and hanged ; among them was
their leader, Von Schultz. He was given a sham trial, during which
the present Premier of the Dominion (1888) defended the leader.
On December 4, 1837, the Patriots descended on Toronto, but they
were defeated on the 7th at Montgomery's tavern. This house is said
to have been burned by his nephew, Alfred, who afterwards kept
tavern at Delaware. The American tug Caroline was destroyed by a
Canadian force under Commodore Drew, December 29th, and in this
capture Captain McCormick, a commuted pensioner of Adelaide, had
his arm cut by a sabre. On January 10, 1838, the Patriots abandoned
Navy Island, two days after the capture of Theller and Dodge. In
June the Americans destroyed the British steamer Sir Eobert Peel,
and the " affair of the Short Hills," Niagara, took place that month.
Dr. Charles Duncombe commanded the Patriots of Oxford, Nor-
folk and Middlesex. In November, 1837, a number of Radicals
assembled at Oakland Village, and under Joshua G. Doan, Robert
Anderson and Henry Fisher, the Yarmouth and Bayham men marched
to join him. The London, Woodstock and Simcoe militia and all the
militia of the Province were sent forward against them, so that at
Scotland Village Duncombe disbanded, and each member of his force
fled to the United States or returned home. The men who returned
to their homes were arrested and lodged in jail at London, Simcoe or
Hamilton, to await trial. It is related by Robert Summers that, in a
fight in London Township, east of the Proof Line, a family of San-
borns attacked a Waterloo soldier named William Tweedy, and in the
scuffle one of the Sanborns bit off the whole of his under lip. He
wrapped the piece in paper and went to Dr. Duncombe, who was then
staying with his brother-in-law, Henry Schenick. The Doctor caught
a rooster, cut out of its breast a piece to correspond with that taken
out of Tweedy's lip, and stitched it in, and with the exception of no
beard growing there and a little stiffness and swelling, it appeared as
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 105
good as the original lip ; but did not prove so useful, as Tweedy never
afterwards could play the fife.
When the false reports of Mackenzie's success drew forth to arms
the Reformers of the London District, Duncombe summoned the volun-
teers to meet him at Scotland village, and two days later, when he
learned of Mackenzie's defeat, asked them to disband and disperse.
Sackrider, a veteran of 1812, opposed this proposition, and suggested
that the men of Middlesex, Oxford, Brant, and adjoining counties,
should withdraw to the pine forests of Dorchester and Burford, and
there make a stand against Col. MacNab's militia. This proposition
was also voted down and the last hope of the Patriots disappeared ; for
was Sackrider's advice taken the splendid yeomanry of all the country
would flock to Liberty's standard and win against all odds. In the
dispersion that followed, Duncombe was not the least to suffer. For a
month he was concealed in Mrs. Schenick's house, near London. She
was his sister, and made every effort to secure his safety from the
political bloodhounds who were seeking for him. His final escape was
due to Charles Tilden, then residing near Amherstburg. He went to
see his friend in the winter of 1838, and found him hid in a hay-loft ;
a suggestion to escape was received coldly, but on Tilden pointing out
the Doctor's round face and showing how easily he could escape in
woman's costume ; he accepted the plan. All the forces of the Tory
party, aided by the Grand River Indians, were hunting for him, and
reward offered for his head, so that great care had to be exercised.
Duncombe dressed himself in his sister's clothes and sitting beside her
in Tilden's wagon, was driven by the owner into Michigan, where he
stood a freeman on a free soil. At Marine City the people soon
learned that another refugee was among them, and with all the good
intentions of the Americans, they urged him to address the crowd
before taking off his female apparel. This he acceded to, and there-
after became a favorite physician wherever he located in the States.
Col. L. A. Norton, speaking of the affairs of 1837-8, and of the
times in which he and other Westminster men were captured by the
English party, says: — "I learned that Col. Maitland, of the 32nd
Infantry, then guarding London, was to march down to Delaware,
while another command, with military stores, was to reach London
next morning. He learned, that after Col. Maitland would leave, only
thirty raw recruits would hold the village, and devised the plan of
having his uncle David assemble the Scotch on Westminster street,
make a night attack, and release the prisoners and capture
London. At this time his uncles were at the head of four hundred
Patriots, but they could not do anything toward carrying out the plans.
The village was in a fever. Scouts were sent out, but were afraid to
go out of sight of the settlement. They would retire to some secluded
place, and ride their horses until they would get them in a perfect
foam; then come rushing in and report the rebels surrounding all
sides of the Union. Another would come in and report them nearer.
I
106 HISTORY OF THE
At last they got them within three miles of the town, when Hughey
(or Howey), the Turnkey, came into the room where the prisoners were,
say in", * I would give $100 for an axe to cut down the bridge.' The
rebels had taken or hidden all the axes. People were hastily packing
up and leaving. The Tory magistrates had left, and it was reported
that should the prisoners be blown up, as the magistrates had ordered
them to be, not a man, woman or child in London would be left alive
by the Patriots. Citizens were appointed to call on the English officer
commanding to revoke the blowing-up order, and he acquiesced in
their prayer. During the excitement, Mrs. O'Brien rushed in, saying
' They are coming ! They are coming ! and they dare not blow you up.
I heard them say so.' The whole fact was, that a number of Indians
advanced from Maiden, and exaggeration converted them into a large
rebel army. Mrs Anna Burch was the great rebel spy, and their
doctress." Col. Norton was taken down with fever while in prison,
and sent to the hospital, where Dr. Thomas Moore, the tall Irishman,
attended him, and saved him. James Watson died. The jail then
was in a fearful condition, but the excitement which seized on
magistrates, officials and soldiery, added to the threats of blowing up
the jail and prisoners, withdrew much attention from the state of
the rooms, and kept men in health, who, without this excitement,
would die there. On Nov. 12, 1837, L. A. Norton joined Joshua
Doane's Spartan Rangers, at Sparta, in Yarmouth. A little skirmish
ensued, in which Norton was wounded, and next morning he found
that his friends had disappeared, except Benj. T. Smith. Near Durham
Forge, both were arrested and brought to Sinicoe jail, where Harring-
ton and Sturge were imprisoned by John Burwell, whose escape he
aided in. On being re-arrested, he was imprisoned at London, where
Mrs. Parks, the jailor's wife, Mrs. Dennis O'Brien and Mrs. Alvero
Ladd, sisters, were friends to him, Ladd being then in prison.
Trial and Execution of Patriots. — On January 9, 1838, the
Grand Jury of the District was discharged owing to the progress of the
rebellion. On April 10, 1838, the Quarter Sessions Court was held in
the school house, owing to the fact that the trial of persons charged
with high treason was being carried on. This school-house now
stands in the Court House Square, just west of the Registry Office.
Dr. E. A. Theller, commander of the Patriot schooner Anne, was
taken prisoner, tried, sentenced to transportation for life, but escaping,
returned to serve the cause in which he first embarked. On his second
capture he was carried to London, Canada, where he was hanged in
1838, with Henry Anderson, who claimed to be an American. While
W. W. Dodge, a third of Theller's party, is said to have been hanged
subsequently in 1838, but there is no record to point out such execu-
tion.
In September, 1838, Samuel H. Parke took from the jail, of
which he then had charge, Cornelius Cunningham, Joshua Gillean
Doane, Amos Pearley and Albert Clark, and placed them in the dock
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
107
for trial on the charge of high treason. John Wilson, subsequently
Judge, was appointed to defend them, a task very obnoxious to him,
as he wanted all rebels hanged. He defended them in a very formal
manner ; had not one word to say in extenuation of the charge against
them. They were sentenced to be hanged, and on January 14, 1839,
this sentence was carried out, the scaffold being the same as the one
from which Jones was hanged in 1868. At the Fall Assizes of 1838,
Job and Enos Scott were also sentenced to be hanged on October 27th,
but there is no account of this sentence being carried into effect.
Prior to that time a detachment of the London militia, of which Dr.
Salter was a member, took a number of prisoners before the Governor
and executive officers. Among the men in jail was Wm. Hale, who
built the court-house. He relates that the military guard occupied t
the room below where some of the prisoners were confined, and would •
amuse themselves by firing bullets up through the floor. Another
prisoner was John Grieve. Among the Government scouts were
Crazy Cy, Philo Bennett, a retired Methodist preacher, and Cyrus
Curtiss, who, while ransacking the county for rebels, did some acts not
entirely of a legal character.
Dr. Kolph, Dr. Duncombe and David Gibson were expelled from
the House for the part they had taken in the troubles of 1837-8,
while Elias Moore, a Quaker member from Middlesex, Robert Alway,
from Oxford, and Dr. Morrison were put in prison.
Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews were tried at Toronto, March
26, 1838, before Justice Robinson, and were sentenced to be hanged
April 12, 1838, which sentence was carried out. John Montgomery
was also sentenced to death, but escaped. Dr. Morrison was found
not guilty. Elias Moore and Robert Alway were released under bonds.
The trouble of 1837 ended with the execution of many noble-
minded men, the banishment of others to Bermuda and the exile of a
greater number to the United States, but in 1849 amnesty was offered
by Lord Durham and several returned ; Durham making the statement
that the people called rebels were the most loyal in Canada, and that
were he here he would be a rebel.
Contemporary Memoranda. — On July 11, 12 and 14, 1838, £16-
2s. 6d. are charged for bringing up prisoners for trial and sentence, for
five days' attendance on Court, summoning jury, advertising Court and
drawing calendar. The names of the defendants as given are: —
McNutty, Phipps, Wright, Donnelly, and others.
In September, 1838, the Clerk's expenses incurred in the trial of
P. McManus, not guilty ; P. Acres, not guilty ; D. S. Cummings, not
guilty ; amounted to £3 2s. 6d. His expenses on the trial of Jacob
Schemagin, Peter Mishler, Hamilton, Job and Enos Scott, David
King, a colored boy, amounted to £4 10s. Od. Job and Enos Scott
were sentenced to be executed October 27, 1838 ; but they were
not hanged. David King to three months in jail ; Jacob Schemagin,
Allen Hamilton and Peter Mishler to one year in Penitentiary. Ben.
•
108 HISTORY OF THE
West and Wm. Gibson were discharged, and James Woods allowed
out on bail. Many of the men named were held for the political crime
of the period — seeking responsible government.
Leading Men in the Drama of 1837. — John Eolph, born in
England in 1793, came to Canada with his father, Dr. Thomas Eolph,
about 1811, and served against the Americans during the war of 1812
until taken prisoner to Batavia, N.Y. On his release, he returned to
England and studied law and medicine. Kejoining his parents in
Canada, he soon settled in Charlotteville Township, near Vittoria, and
in 1821 was admitted to the Primitive Law Circle of the Province ;
became Col. Talbot's lawyer, and later the founder of the Talbot
Anniversary of Settlement, the first reunion being held in 1817.
Notwithstanding his English sympathies, common justice urged him to
cast ofV Talbot's patronage and turn toward the cause of the people.
In 1824 he and Captain John Matthews were returned to Parliament
on the Reform ticket. The latter was a retired artillery officer of
twenty-seven years standing, who had also been a convert to Reform.
In 1836 Rolph delivered his celebrated speech against the English
Church reserves ; but when the hour came when men should face the
cannon for justice' sake, Mr. Rolph appears to have deserted the
physical force men and allied himself to the moral force army and
held aloof from the meeting of Oct. 10, 1837, as held seven miles out
on Yonge street.
Allan MacNab (baronet), born at Niagara in 1798, where his father
was attached to Simcoe's staff, began the study of law in 1817 and
admitted to the Bar in 1825. He was appointed the first Queen's
Counsel in Upper Canada shortly after, and in 1829 he and John
Wilson were elected members for Wentworth, MacNab holding the
position for three parliaments. He was a harsh opponent of the
Patriots in 1837-8; was Speaker in the first Parliament after the
Union, and Premier from 1854 to 1856. In October, 1.857, he retired,
having been dropped by the astute John A. Macdonald.
William Lyon Mackenzie, born in Scotland in 1795, came to
Canada in 1820. On May 19, 1824, appeared the Colonial Advocate,
at Niagara. This took the bull by the horns and swung him around so
unmercifully that the compact men destroyed the office in 1826 at
Toronto, to which place the office was removed. This act won new
supporters, and the Advocate continued until 1853, when the new
press and type were sold to Dr. O'Grady. In 1828 Mackenzie was
elected by York to the Canadian Parliament. He was expelled, but
elected and re-elected, until his power gave him a place. When the
rebellion of 1837-8 did not succeed, he fled from his enemies, who
were hungry for his blood. On his return he was coldly received. In
1851 he defeated Geo. Brown, who ran on what was termed the
Protestant ticket, in Haldimand, held this seat until 1858, and died in
-comparatively wretched circumstances at Toronto in August, 1861.
George Brown entered Parliament for Haldimand County in 1852,
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
109
defeating Wm. Lyon Mackenzie. In the days of the Double Shuffle
he and Dorion formed a Ministry which had a four-days' life, when
the Conservatives returned to power. He entered the Coalition
Government, made up for the purposes of Confederation, but later
resigned. In 1873 he was called to the Senate, in which he served
until shot by Bennett in March, 1880. He was a powerful figure in
local politics, politically broad, and, as his star was ambition, he was
equally narrow in other affairs. Many of the privileges which
1837-8 did riot scare away he had removed.
Eobert Baldwin, son of Dr. W. W. Baldwin, of Cork Co., Ireland
(who came to Canada and studied law, and who died in 1844), began
the study of law at Toronto. In 1829 he was elected Liberal member
of the Upper Canada House, he being supported by Wm. Lyon Mac-
kenzie. His voice was always heard against the Compact and the
system of government. In 1836 he became an Executive Councillor;
in 1840, Solicitor- General in Draper's Government, and in 1842,
leader of the Baldwin-Lafontaine Government, but in 1843 retired,
owing to the rupture with Lord Metcalfe. He resumed office in 1848 ;
saw the Compact partially broken before his retirement in 1851, and
died in 1858.
Francis Hincks, a native of Cork, Ireland, who settled in Canada
in 1832, established the Examiner at Toronto, and in 1841 was
elected to the first Parliament from Oxford County after the union
of the Upper and Lower Provinces. In 1844, when Metcalfe dis-
solved the Canadian Parliament, Hincks was defeated by Robert
Riddle, but was returned in 1848. Through a technicality, Mr. Car-
roll was given the seat ; but Hincks was subsequently elected, and,
on the retirement of Baldwin, served as Prime Minister until 1854.
He visited Ireland ; was appointed Governor of Barbadoes ; later of
British Guiana, and in 1869 became Finance Minister, vice John Rose,
resigned, by John A. Macdonald. He resigned in 1873, and died in
1885.
Malcolm Cameron, the son of a hospital sergeant of a Highland
regiment, who came to Canada in 1806, was bom at Three Rivers in
1808. His father's regiment was disbanded in 1816, and removing to
Perth, the old sergeant opened a tavern there. Later we find the son
at Montreal; next he is opposing Sir Francis Bond Head's strut
through Upper Canada; in 1836 he is member from Lanark, in the
Upper Canada Assembly; in 1851 he is the President of the Council;
in 1850, member from Lambton ; in 1874, from South Ontario, which
seat he held until his death in 1876.
John Sandfield Macdonald, son of Alexander, was born at St.
Raphael, in 1812, studied law in McLean's office at Cornwall, and in
Draper's office. In March, 1841, after the union, he was elected. He
opposed Family-Compact toryism. In 1848 to 1852 and 1854 he was
elected without opposition by Glengary. In 1849 he was Solicitor-
Oeneral in the Lafontaine-Baldwin Government; speaker at -Quebec in
HO HISTORY OF THE
1852-4; Solicitor in the Dorion-Brown Government in 1858 ; member
for Cornwall in 1857, his brother D. A., succeeding him as member for
Glengary. Later he opposed Separate Schools, although a Catholic,
but still was elected by that great Scotch Catholic constituency, and in
1862 was called at head of the new administration on the defeat of
the Cartier-Macdonald Government. He opposed Confederation, and
in 1864 resigned, but was called upon to organize the Government of
Ontario. In 1871 he retired from politics, and died in 1872.
John Alexander Macdonald, born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1815,
was brought to Canada by his parents in 1820. Before 1837 he was a
lawyer, and appointed to defend Shoultz, the Pole, who led the
Hunters from the American side to take Prescott, where he was
captured. In 1844 he was elected member for Kingston. Prior to
1849 he held the offices of Receiver-General. During Lafontaine-Bald-
win regime", in 1849, he was in opposition, on the fall of the Hincks-
Morin Cabinet, he became Attorney- General under Allan McNab's
regim£ ; again out, he returned as leader, but not until the Brown-
Mowat-McDougall coalition did he assume great importance. In
1873 the Parliament held him guilty of collusion with (Sir) Hugh
Allan. In 1878 he recovered from this attack, and returned to office
as leader of the Conservative party in Canada.
Edmund Walker Head (Baronet), born in England in 1805, suc-
ceeded Lord Elgin in 1854, as Governor-General. At this time the
Liberal party under the lead of Brown, was opposed by the Conserva-
tives under John A. Macdonald and George E. Cartier. The Tories
were beaten in the strife, but Head would not dissolve Parliament, so
that the measures taken to defeat the Liberals were named The
Double Shuffle; it being alleged that a Tory judge espoused the wrong-
doing. However, Brown was called upon to form a government, and
the Dorion-Brown administration resulted. Mr. Langevin and John
B. Robinson moved and seconded the Double Shuffle resolution, which
ended Brown's Parliament.
George E. Cartier, a descendant of the discoverer of Canada, was
born in 1814. In 1835 he commenced law practice, and up to 1837
was an adherent of M. Papineau, but refused to support his rebellion.
From 1848 to 1861 he represented Vercheres County, meantime
holding many ministerial positions. In 1858 he became the head of
the Cartier-Macdonald ministry, and was instrumental in effecting
the confederation of the provinces.
Oliver Mowat, son of a soldier in the British army, was bom at
Kingston in 1820 ; served with the Compact forces in 1837-8 ; was
admitted to the bar in 1841 ; was elected to the House of Assembly in
1857. In the Four Days' Administration of 1858 he was Secretary.
In 1861 he was elected by South Ontario, but did not succeed in
defeating John A. Macdonald in Kingston. In 1863 he became Post-
master-General under Sandfield Macdonald and Dorion's administra-
tion. In 1872 he succeeded Blake and Mackenzie as Liberal leader
for Ontario, a position he still holds.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. Ill
Edward Blake, son of William Hume Blake, was born in the Bear
Creek settlement (now known as Kates ville, Cairngorm and Mt. Hope),,
October 13, 1833. Within a few months his father moved away, so
as to escape the privations of the backwoods, and, casting his fortunes
at Toronto, had his son educated there. In 1856 Edward was admitted?
to the bar. Two years later he married Margaret, daughter of Bishop
Cronyn, of London. In 1867 he entered the political field, was elected
member for West Durham (the same which he represented in 1886),.
while South Bruce sent him to the Local Parliament, where, in 1869,
he succeeded Archibald McKellar as leader of the Provincial Opposi-
tion. In 1871, when Sandfield Macdonald's Coalition Government
was overthrown on Mackenzie and Blake's resolution of want of
confidence, Mr. Blake was appointed President of the Eeform Council.
When dual representation was abolished he held his seat in the
Canadian House and aided in the downfall of Sir John Macdonald's
Ministry, being rewarded by a membership in Mackenzie's Cabinet.
From 1875 to 1877 he was Minister of Justice, and in the latter year
became President of the Council. After Mackenzie's defeat he was
leader of the Opposition. In 1878 he was defeated in South Bruce,
but in 1879 elected by West Durham.
Alexander Mackenzie, born in Scotland in 1822, came to Canada
in 1842, when, for some years, he worked at his trade of stone-mason,
and established the Lcwnbton Shield in 1852, which he conducted for
two years. In 1861 he was elected by Lambton County ; and, from
the Union of 1867 until 1873, he was the leader of the Reform party
in the House of Commons. In 1873 he was called by Lord Dufferin
to form a Government. From December, 1871, to October, 1872, he
was Treasurer in Blake's Ontario Ministry, meanwhile taking a full
part in military and business affairs.
The constitution of the Legislative Council of Canada, prior to the-
approval of the 19 and 20 Viet., Cap. 140, comprising Crown-nominated
members solely, was changed by that act, so that the Council would
consist of the existing Councillors, who would be life members, and
forty-eight elective members, the term for each being eight years,,
candidates being British subjects of the age of thirty years or more,
residents of Canada, and possessors of £2,000 worth of real property.
Of the forty- eight Council Districts, twenty-four were apportioned to-
Upper Canada. Lambton County and the West Riding of Middlesex
formed the St. Clair Electoral Division or Council District, and the
East and West Ridings of Elgin, the City of London and the East
Riding of Middlesex, the Malahide District. The plan of election of
Councillors by Districts was a peculiar one. A drawing of places by
lot was arranged, and on July 15, 1856, this drawing placed St. Clair
Electoral Division in the third group, and Malahide in the fourth
group — the former electing in 1860, and the latter 1862, under the
act as proclaimed July 16, 1856.
Geo. T. Goodhuewas not a candidate for Parliament; but, in 1846,
'
112 HISTORY OF THE
was appointed by the Government at Kingston to a seat in the
Legislative Council. In politics he was a follower of Baldwin and
Lafontaine, and in those days called a Keformer. His appointment
was due as much to his prominence as an old resident and a man of
means as to any previous connection with political affairs ; for in such
matters he had never shown any especial interest, or taken any active
part. One anecdote of his appointment is worth relating. It is a
little incident which transpired at a missionary meeting, and which
brought him in very much favor with the Wesleyan Methodists, a
body in strong numbers at London at the time. The occasion was an
extraordinary one in the church, and distinguished speakers from
Toronto and other parts were present, among them Eev. Wm. Ryerson
and Peter Jones, the Indian missionary of the Mohawks. Mr.
Goodhue consented to preside over the meeting, and during an appeal
made by Peter Jones, who was eloquent and witty, he emptied the
contents of a well-lined purse upon the table. This act of generosity
was so much appreciated by the people assembled, and the heads of the
meeting, that the next morning they drew up a formal petition to the
Government, asking for Mr. Goodhue's appointment to the office of
Councillor, and his nomination was confirmed over Messrs. Keefer, of
Niagara, and Simeon Washburne, of Hallo well, whose names were
also brought forward. Mr. Goodhue retained his seat in the Legisla-
tive Council until the passage of the Act of Confederation, at which
time, and for four years previously, his growing infirmities prevented
his attendance at the House. During his parliamentary career he was
never distinguished as a speaker, yet his counsel was always sought
and valued, as being that of a man of sound judgment and consistent
views.
Elijah Leonard, a native of New York State, and one of the most
useful residents of Canada, established a foundry at St. Thomas in
1834, and one at London in 1838. He represented the Malahide
division in the Legislative Council from 1862 to 1867, defeating H.
C. R. Becher. In the latter year he was commissioned a Dominion
Senator, under the B. N. A. Act.
In March, 1874, Nathaniel Currie introduced a bill into the
Legislature which provided for female suffrage and the representation
of property according to its value. The main clauses were : — 1st.
That in municipal elections and votes on by-laws creating debts real
property shall be the basis of the franchise, and parties shall have dual
or plural votes according to the value of their property. 2nd. Women
of full age, subjects of Her Majesty, with the proper property quali-
fication, shall have a right to vote at such elections The Farmers'
Sons Franchise Act was passed by the Ontario Assembly in 1877 In
May, 1885, the question of giving the Indians of Upper and Lower
Canada and the Maritime Provinces the right of voting was endorsed
by Dr. Oronhyatekha, of London, himself an Indian. Each of these
important questions were discussed both in and out of Parliament and
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
113
with the original bills subjected to some material amendments, were
placed on the statute books of the Dominion.
The Eedistribution Bill of 1882 provided that the County of
Middlesex be divided into four Eidings, each of which to return a
member to the House of Commons ; that the South Eiding of the County
of Middlesex shall consist of the townships of Westminster, Caradoc
and Lobo ; that the East Eiding of the County of Middlesex shall consist
of the townships of London, West Nissouri, North Dorchester, South
Dorchester, and the town of London East and the villages of London
West and Springfield ; that the West Eiding of the County of Middlesex
shall consist of the townships of Adelaide, Metcalfe, Mosa, Euphemia
and Ekfrid, and the villages of Glencoe, Newbury and Wardsville, and
the town of Strathroy ; that the North Eiding of the County of Middle-
sex shall consist of the townships of East Williams, West Williams,
McGillivray, Biddulph and Stephen, and the villages of Ailsa Craig,
Lucan and Parkhill.
Taking the general election of September 17, 1878, as a basis, the
political status of the new Electoral Divisions would be as follows.
The figures denote the respective majorities in each precinct : —
WEST MIDDLESEX.
Conservative.
NORTH MIDDLESEX.
Euphemia
30
Adelaide
Mosa
Ekfrid
Metcalfe
63
Strathroy
Glencoe.
54
Ward«ville
14
Newbury .
16
SOUTH
177
MIDDLESEX.
Reform.
Stephen
Conservative.
95 McGillivray .
128
18 Biddulph
211
53 West Williams..
East Williams
51 Parkhill . .
4
34
Ailsa Craig
Lucan
102
217
479
EAST MIDDLESEX.
Westminster
Reform.
238
••
London Township.
Conservative.
268
Lobo
-251
West Nissouri ....
61
Delaware . ...
.... 12
North Dorchester.
33
61
South Dorchester .
Reform maioritv..
562
London East
London West . .
•'•
Reform.
73
77
158
Reform.
362
11
24
The bill provided for the establishment of the South Eiding, but
did not deal with London City.
The first representatives, of what now constitutes Middlesex
District, in the old Parliament of 1816, were Messrs. Wilcox and
Beagley. Col. Mahlon Burwell and John Bostwick served in two
Parliaments, 1820 to 1824, and in 1825-6 the London District was
represented. Dr. John Eolph, Capt. John Matthews, Francis L.
Walsh, Duncan McColl, Thomas Homer and Charles Ingersoll, the two
HISTORY OF THE
first named representing Middlesex. In 1828 Rolph and Matthews
were re-elected. Mahlon Burwell opposing, his platform being to
remove the court-house to St. Thomas. Capt. Matthews, who m
1830, went to England to lay the state of the country before Parlia-
ment asserted that no one who did not endure it could understand the
rascality of the Government. Prior to 1830, Capt. Matthews visited
Toronto. He found a band there who could neither play God Save
the King nor Eule Britannia, but could play Yankee Doodle. On
striking this air one man called for hats off, but Van Conant would
not respond, Matthews advanced and knocked the hat across the room.
He was tried for treason, but let off.
The members of the House of Assembly from Middlesex and
adjoining counties in 1831, were Mahlon Burwell and Koswell Mount,
Middlesex; Wm. Berczy, Kent County; Wm. Elliott and Jean B.
Macon, Essex County ; Charles Ingersoll and Charles Buncombe,
Oxford; D. McColl and Wm. Wilson, Norfolk. In 1832 Elias Moore
and Thomas Parke were chosen to represent Middlesex, and re-elected
in 1836. At this time a party fight took place at London, Levi
Merrick, a reformer, flying from the Orangemen headed by Matt.
Coughlin and John O'Neil. Michael Shoff, Eobert Summers, jr., and
other reformers carried their points. The members of the House of
Assembly from Middlesex in 1839 were Thomas Parke and Elias
Moore ; from London, Mahlon Burwell ; from Kent, Wm. McCrae
and N. Cornwall ; from Essex, John Prince and Francis Caldwell.
Thomas Parke, of Wicklow County, Ireland, who settled at Toronto
in 1820, and represented Middlesex in the last two Parliaments of
Upper Canada, in 1834, and on the first Parliament of the Province of
Canada, in 1841, was the father of E. Jones Parke, of London. He
died at St. Catharines in 1864.
The election of 1841 was warmly contested, and party feeling ran
so high, that on January 23 a violent attack on the houses of Col.
Witherell, of the Royal Fusiliers, and John Givens, a lawyer, was
made — rocks and bricks being freely used. In February the Magis-
trates offered £40 for information which would lead to the conviction
of the guilty parties. In 1842, Ermatinger, of St. Thomas, was
selected, but his opponent, Wm Notman* petitioned against his
methods, unseated him, and was himself elected. He was re-elected
*The Convention of Oct. 2, 1851, was organized with Adamson, of Lobo. presiding, and
Holcroft Clench, Secretary. The delegates present were :— Township of London— Wm.
Hale, James Ferguson and Nathan Jacobs. Dun wich— Moses Willey. Southwold— Robert
Thomson and Colin Munro. Bayham— John Elliott, John Skinner and Wm. Hatch. Yar-
mouth—Hugh Douglas. Lindley Moore and M. T. Moore. Malahide— W. Campbell, Dr.
Ogden and J. W. Beemer. S. and N- Dorchester- W, H. Niles and Wellington Crouse.
Caradoc— Holcroft Clench and Hugh Anderson. Delaware— Henry Bawlings. Metcalfe—
Thomas Gately. Adelaide— Patrick Mee. Lobo— R. Adamson and John Edwards. West-
minster—Thomas Baty, Joseph L. Odetl and D. M. Rymall. There were no delegates
present from the townships of Aid borough, Ekfrid, Mosa and Williams. It was moved by
J. Elliott, and seconded by Patrick Mee, that Wm. Notman be the Reform candidate to
represent this County at the next general election. In amendment it was moved that Dr.
John Rolph be the candidate. The vote was then taken; ten voting for the amendment,
and sixteen for the original motion. The formal meeting to call the Convention was held
at the Junction in September, 1851.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
115
in 1847 ; but in 1851 was defeated by Crowell Wilson, who repre-
sented the united Counties of Elgin and Middlesex until 1854.
In 1853 Middlesex proper was divided into two representative
districts, and in the elections of 1854 William Niles was elected for
the East Eiding over his opponent, Wm. Horton, while John
Scatcherd was chosen for the West Riding over James Ferguson. In
1857 Scatcherd was re-elected, but Marcus Talbot took Niles' place.
It appears that shortly after the election of Marcus Talbot, in 1857,
he visited Ireland and there was married. In returning, he was
drowned on the ship Hungarian; so that an election to fill the
vacancy thus created in the East Hiding was held, which resulted in
sending Robert Craik to Parliament. M. B. Portman followed Craik,
a Reformer, and served until 1862-3, when Crowell Wilson was
selected to represent the division — being elected and re-elected until
1872. In 1872, on the retirement of Crowell Wilson, David Glass,
C., and James Evans, R., contested the East Riding, when the former
was elected. In November, 1873, Mr. Glass opposed the leader of his
party, and went before his constituency as an adherent of the Mac-
kenzie-Scott or Reform party. He was defeated by Crowell Wilson
in 1874. On his seat being declared vacant, owing to the questionable
methods used to secure his election, Duncan Macmillan, C., was chosen,
he being opposed by the Reformer James Armstrong.
On the death of John Scatcherd, A. P. Macdonald was chosen and
he represented the Western Riding in the two Parliaments, when in
1861 his successor, Thomas Scatcherd, took his seat and served until
Confederation. On the re-subdivision of the county for electoral pur-
poses under the Act of Confederation into three divisions, he was
elected to represent North Middlesex, and this position he held until
his death, April 15, 1876, when his brother, R. C. Scatcherd, succeeded
him, defeating John Levie at the polls. In 1867 the Western Division
was carried by A. P. Macdonald over Dr. Billington — Alfred Mont-
gomery's tavern and another one being open free to all comers. In
1872 Geo. W. Ross defeated Macdonald, and in 1874 also carried this
district by acclamation; again in 1878 and 1882. In 1883 his seat
was declared vacant by reason of bribery by agents. In November,
1883, he was appointed Minister of Education, and in December, 1883,
elected to the Legislative Assembly for West Middlesex.
James Evans represented the East Riding in the Ontario House
from 1867 to 1871, when Richard Tooley was elected, defeating the
Reform candidate. James Evans.
J. S. Smith, Liberal, was elected member of the Ontario House from
the North Riding in 1867, which he represented until 1875, when J.
McDougall was chosen representative.
Nicholas Currie was elected to represent the West Riding in the
Ontario Assembly in 1867, but gave way to Alexander Mackenzie, the
Premier, in 1871. In 1872 J. Watterworth was elected, defeating
Dewan by 98 votes.
&STOKY OF THE
The elections of March, 1871 resulted in the choice of John Car-
ling Conservative, for London ; Richard Tooley, Conservative, for East
Middlesex ; J. S. Smith, Liberal, for North Middlesex : Alex. Mac-
kenzie, Liberal, for West Middlesex.
The returns of the West Middlesex election of August, 1872, show :
1 322 votes for G. W. Ross, Liberal, and 1,266 for A. P. Macdonald,
Conservative. In the North Riding, Scatcherd, Liberal, and in the
East Riding, D. Glass, Conservative, were elected. John Carlirig,
Conservative, was elected for London. In September, West Middlesex
gave J. Watterworth, Liberal, 1,311, and J. Dewan, Conservative, 1,213
votes.
In 1874, Major Walker was elected to represent London, receiving
1,270 votes, while John Carling received 1,208, but was unseated by
petition. Messrs. Scatcherd, Ross, and Wilson, were elected for North,
West, and East Middlesex respectively.
The election of 1875 resulted in the return of W. R. Meredith for
London ; Richard Tooley, J. McDougall and J. Watterworth for East,
North and West Middlesex respectively.
The elections for the Ontario House, held in June, 1879, resulted
as follows: — West Middlesex — Richardson (Conservative), 1,524;
Watterworth, 1,575. North Middlesex— McDougall, 1,685 ; Waters ;
1,917. East Middlesex— R. Tooley, 526; Daniel Mackenzie, 340.
London — W. R. Meredith (Conservative), was elected, the city being-
contested by Magee. W. R. Meredith was chosen Conservative
leader in the Ontario Parliament January 9, 1879.
The elections of February, 1883, resulted in the choice of W. R.
Meredith, Conservative, for London; A. Johnston, Conservative, for
West Middlesex ; John Waters, Liberal, for North, and Dan. Mackenzie,
Liberal, for East Middlesex, defeating Thomas Routledge, West
Middlesex being won from the Liberals. The trial of the election
case, E. Scatcherd representing the cause of Watterworth vs. Alex.
Johnston, M. P. P., was heard November 9, 1883, before Justice
Cameron. James Bethune, Wm. Johnston and John Cameron re-
presented the petitioner; Dalton McCarthy, W. P. R. Street and E.
R. Cameron the respondent. Johnston was declared unseated. In
August, 1884, the trial of the petition against the return of Geo.
W. Ross, as member for West Middlesex, was opened at Strathroy.
Justices Gait and Ferguson presided. Dr. McMichael and H. Becher
represented the petitioners, while B. B. Osier, W. Johnston, Peterson
and Cameron represented Mr. Ross. The petition contained 125
charges, not one of which was sustained.
In December, 1886, Geo. W. Ross was elected for West, John
Waters for North, and R. Tooley for East Middlesex ; while W. R.
Meredith was chosen to represent London, his majority being 213.
In 1879 he was elected by a majority of 447, and 'in 1883 without
opposition.
Justice Falconbridge unseated Dr. Roome, elected member for
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
West Middlesex, in February, 1888. No charge existed against the
doctor, but the fact of George Wilkins volunteering transportation
was sufficient to invalidate the election.
The North Middlesex election of June, 1876, resulted in 1,380
votes for John Levie and 1,576 for E. C. Scatcherd.
The elections of September, 1878, resulted in the return of John
Carling for London, Timothy Coughlin for North, Macmillan for East,
and Geo. W. Eoss for West Middlesex.
The elections of June, 1882, resulted as follows : — Member for
London — John Carling, C., 1,485; John Campbell, L., 1,238; majority t,
247. Member for East Middlesex— E. Macmillan, C., 1,998; I.
Langford, L., 1,431. Member for North Middlesex — Timothy Cough-
lin, 1,741 ; L. E. Shipley, 1,632. Member for West Middlesex— G.
W. Eoss, 1,651 ; N. Currie, 1,597. Member for South Middlesex— J.
Armstrong, L., 1,678 ; J. Eayner, C., 812.
London was established a separate representative district in 1835,.
when Col. Mahlon Burwell was elected its first member of Parliament.
Hamilton H. Killally was next accorded the honor ; then Lawrence
Lawrason, in 1844, followed by William H. Draper, who resigned to-
accept a Judgeship ; John Wilson, who was subsequently appointed
Judge ; Thomas C. Dickson, who was defeated at the next election by
John Wilson, and in 1857 by John Carling, who represented the city
until 1874, when John Walker, now Eegistrar, was elected. Col.
Walker was unseated on a petition, and James H. Eraser was chosen
to represent London. John Carling was elected member of Parliament
for London City in 1857, and continued representative until 1874,
when he was defeated by Col., then Major Walker, who was, however,
unseated. In 1862 he was Eeceiver- General, but owing to the defeat
of his party in Parliament in 1874 that position was transferred to a
Liberal within a few months. In 1867 he represented the city in
the Ontario Parliament ; was Commissioner of Public Works, Agricul-
ture and Immigration until 1871, when the Macdonald party was
defeated. During his term the Insane Asylums at London and
Belleville, and the Asylum for the Blind at Brantford, were estab-
lished. In 1872 he resigned his seat in the Assembly, having
accomplished or aided in accomplishing almost everything his consti-
tuents called for, meanwhile being a member of the Dominion House.
118 HISTORY OF THE
CHAPTER VII.
*
THE BENCH AND BAR.
From the earliest period in the history of the world, the advocate
has existed and made his presence known where men of other trades
or professions were silent or unfelt. Milton, in the days when religious
revolution reduced the human mind to a state of skepticism and left
the puolic conscience uncontrolled, declared that "most men are
allured to the trade of law, grounding their purposes not on the pru-
dent and heavenly contemplation of justice and equity, which was
never taught them, but on the promising and pleasing thoughts of
litigious terms, fat contentions and flowing fees." Later the advocate
assumed the form of a student, and with this form grew up a thousand
ambitions, and with the ambitions came the original trades' union,
which prompted the old bar to circumscribe its circle and surround
itself with certain ceremonies and insignia. Law became a great
study, and thus in Johnson's time the bar embraced
" Men of that large profession, who can speak
To every cause, and things indeed contraries,
Till they are hoarse again, yet all be law :
That with most quick agility can turn,
And return, make knots and undo them,
Give forked counsel, take provoking gold
From either side and put it up."
One of the first criminal cases tried in London may be taken as
evidence that the lawyer of Johnson's time had not passed away in
1832 ; for here we find the pioneer advocate, Michael Tenbroeck,
defending Sovereen with an earnestness worthy of a good cause ; and
later, when his wretched client is on the scaffold, the same Michael
Tenbroeck cries out to the criminal to confess his crime as he con-
fessed it to him. Justice was easily dispensed. There was no law
and very little trouble. Squire Matthews remembers Tenbroeck, the
London lawyer, because he was the first he had ever seen and " was a
square kind of man." "If there were any bit of a quarrel," says the
Squire, "or injury or trespass inflicted, the one on the other, the
plaintiff got one man and the defendant another, and if they couldn't
settle it all up, as they generally did, why, they called on a third man,
and the whole business was done in a jiffy without pen or ink,
Testament, paper, costs or anything else. Maybe the court would be
held on a log or across a stump. The first magistrate I remember was
Squire Mackenzie ; but we never troubled him." * In 1827 all this, or
much of this happy state of affairs, was changed, and the Quarter
Sessions Court had for some years afterwards extensive dealings in
settling up old feuds. Indeed, prior to 1827 the old method of friendly
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
119
arbitration began to wane; for in 1825 a log court-house or town
meeting-house was erected at Springbank, and in it Squires Springer
and Ingersoll, and sometimes Col. Talbot and Capt. Matthews, held
regular court.
In the transactions of the Quarter Sessions Court of London
District, a close summary of its proceedings from 1813 to 1842 is
given. In fact, all the petty trials from 1813 to 1827, when the
court was removed from Long Point or Vittoria to London, are given.
The early records of the Assize Court are very irregular, and with few
exceptions are of little use for historical purposes, up to the period
when Col. Macbeth took possession of the Crown office here. It is a
fact that of all the documents, which must have existed in 1838-9
relating to the trial of the Patriots, very few are to be found to-day.
It might not be an exaggeration to assert that such records were
intentionally destroyed or carelessly given away.
The oldest record of the London District Court deals with the case
of Alex. Eoss vs. Kobert Hindman, in which a capias ad responden-
dum was issued, Feb. 3, 1823, for £13 currency. On March 24 the
process was returned, when bail was entered. On March 27 an
affidavit was filed, and motion arid order withdrawn ; on the 29th, a
declaration was filed, and a motion for the discharge of the defendant,
on filing a common appeal and the bail bond to be delivered up, was
granted. On March 31, a demurrer and notice of set-off was filed by
J. Tenbroeck, plaintiff's attorney. The case of Eichard L. Corkcroft
vs. James Bell was presented by Attorney John Eolph, who found that
the parties had settled the claim for £3. The claim of Frederick
Smith v. Samuel Mowrey was presented by Attorney Tenbroeck, but
the only result shown is the payment of two shillings and sixpence to
Judge Mitchell. Luke Teeple, by his attorney, John Eolph, prose-
cuted Peter Massap, as bondsman. The case of John Earle v. James
Cowan was presented by Eolph; also that of Geo. C. Salmon, v.
Eichard Massap ; also of Milton Gregory v. Chandler C. Haskill ; John
J. Harris v. Gatien Lizer; Smith and Williams v. James Nevilles;
Jacob Patrick v. Cowan & Walker ; Alanson Allen v. Silas Harris ;
George Boyington v. George Coughall ; James Bell v. Jeremiah Moor ;
Josiah C. Goodhue v. George Teeple ; Joseph Defulds v. James Hayes ;
Eeuben Morrison v. Horatio Nelson Franklin ; John Islik v. Thomas
Finch; J. C. Goodhue v. David Graham; same v. Isaac Ostrander;
same v. John Elwood ; same v. Philip Beringer ; same v. W. H. Lee ;
same v. Daniel Springer; same v. Winslow Thayer, and sixteen other
cases. Eolph may be said to have been attorney for plaintiff in all the
above cases, Tenbroeck being driven to defend. In a few cases juries
were sworn to aid the District Judge, James Mitchell.
The June session of 1823 opened with Tenbroeck leading. Of
.the 39 cases brought before the District Court, Attorney Eolph repre-
'sented the plaintiff in 37. In September and December, 1823, Ten-
broeck again leads the Court with two cases, Eolph representing the
120 HISTORY OF THE
plaintiff in all the others, except the 48th and 49th, when Tenbroeck
presented plaintiffs' claims. A musty pasteboard-bound book in Col.
John Macbeth's office, bearing the simple legend "1823 " on the back,
tells hundreds of painful stories concerning the old debtors' prison.
One example will suffice. In October, 1822, Kichard W. Drake threw
John Anderson into jail for a debt of £6 5s., bail being refused. In
March, 1823, he was tried, and the following jury returned a verdict
for plaintiff :— Win. Havens, Wm. Potts, Wm. White, Nathaniel
White, Eichard Marr, Cortlands Olds, Benjamin Bawn, Asa Stevens,
Levi Douglass, John B. Wheeler, Peter Wyckoff and Charles Gustin.
On the 6th day of March, 1825, he was released, after a new trial,
before another jury of " twelve good men and true." To those who
can recollect the old vermin -haunted log jail nothing need be said of
what the unfortunate Anderson must have suffered for this simple
debt. The old jailor, long since gone to his eternal rest, saw many a
wife shed tears at the cell door of an unhappy husband as he kissed
the child he could not support, and would gladly have set him free,
but the stern law forbade.
Among the important cases brought before the first Assize Court
at London, was the charge of horse stealing against Sovereign or
Sovereen, in 1827 or 1828. Judge Macaulay sentenced him to death ;
but the old law which would give the insulter of women only a few
days or a few months in the common jail, while sentencing the horse
thief to death, was falling gradually into disrepute, and so executive
clemency was extended to this terribly vicious pioneer.
The first murder case before the Quarter Sessions here was on April
14, 1831, when a bench warrant was issued to the High Constable for
the arrest of Jared Sealey for murder. John Phelan, of Oxford East,
blacksmith; Joshua H. Corbin, of Norwich, and Wm. Haskel, of
London, were witnesses. The man murdered was Jonathan Kipp.
Owing to the fact that Sealey had friends on the bench, the prosecution
of the charges was carried on without spirit, and there is no record
whatever to show that the case was ever presented to the Judge of
Assize.
In April, 1831, £100 were paid Geo. Henry, Leslie Pearce and
Henry Fox, for arresting C. A. Burieigh for the murder of T. C.
Pomeroy.
Execution of Burleigh.— The first execution at London was that
of Cornelius A. Burley or Burieigh, of Long Point. In 1830, as
related in another chapter, he was charged with larceny. The war-
rant for his arrest was placed in Constable T. C. Pomeroy's hands.
The constable moved down on the home of Burieigh in Bayham, and
wfth rough words and rougher gestures sought to scare Burieigh into
instant surrender. Burleigh's guilt was questionable, and this feeling
with the irritation which an ignorant officer can sometimes cause, led
to the act which culminated in Pomeroy's death. Burieigh shot and
killed him. At that time men did not wait to consider what provoca-
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
121
tion meant, but rushed forward blindly to arrest the murderer. With
him they took two men and lodged all in the old jail for a year. In
the meantime, all the prisoners (eight in number) escaped, except
Burleigh, as the unfortunate man did not hold himself guilty of larceny
or murder, and so hoped for a reprieve. Again, he knew that the
prisoners would be tracked through the snow, and recaptured, as they
were. In 1831 executive clemency failed to save this man from
popular vengeance. The gallows was erected in the court-house yard,
almost all the people within twenty-five miles of London came to see
the drama, and their depraved tastes were satisfied ; for when Burleigh
was swinging off, the rope broke, and the half-strangled man walked
round before the people with part of the rope dangling after him.
Eecaptured he was re -led up to the scaffold, and this time flung into
eternity. Eev. Mr. Mackintosh, of the English Church, at Kettle
Creek, attended to his spiritual wants.
Execution of Sovereen. — Jonathan Sovereen, one of a large tribe
who lived near Applegarth's Flats in the early days of the township,
moved to a point near Burford in the twenties. This migration took
place after his first conviction for cattle stealing, for which he was
sentenced to be hanged, but through influence was reprieved. Before
and after his escape he was engaged in dark deeds, so dreadful that his
two eldest children left home to work for neighbors. On the day
before the dreadful crime was enacted for which he was hanged, he
asked those children to return, but they did not, and thus escaped the
slaughter, which brought death to their mother and seven (sisters and
brothers) children. Sovereen had planned the extinction of his family,
lest by any chance one of them would give information regarding his
evil acts. On the day before the murder, he left home in a manner
which would be generally known, but returned during the night and
carried out his dreadful designs, killing his wife and six children out-
right, and injuring a little girl of five summers so that she died soon
after, leaving a child of three years and the two elder children, who
were away, survivors of the family. On the following morning
Sovereen himself gave the alarm that Indians had visited his home
and murdered his wife and children. The neighbors flocked thither,
and found the wife between the cabin and 'barn with an old shoe knife
buried to the hilt in her left side, and over her body several wounds.
In her hand was a bunch of gray hair, which she plucked from the
murderer in her death struggle : within the house were the bodies of
the murdered children. There was the stool with which he knocked
their brains out, and there the axe clotted with blood and brains and
hair. It was no Indian's work. Sovereen's own hair was the simplest
tell-tale, and at the Spring Assizes of 1832 he was found guilty, not-
withstanding Michael Tenbroeck's able defence. On June 5, 1832,
Lawrason and Goodhue's store at the northwest corner of Dundas and
Ridout street was filled with people, windows, doors and roof. There
was the gallows, from which Burleigh was twice flung in 1831, and all
122 HISTORY OF THE
around a sea of faces, for the people within a circle of 150 miles came to
see the wretch die. There was Elder James Jackson of the Methodist
Church attending, and his old time member still defiant and denying.
Mr Tenbroeck cried out to him : " For God's sake, Sovereen, confess ;
don't die with a lie in your mouth." But the prayer was of no use.
Sovereen was launched into eternity. The present Rev. Dr. Webster,
of Newbury, was in attendance, but not called upon. This fiend was over
sixty years of age at the time of this murder. One of the points in
evidence against him was a suit of blood-stained clothes discovered in
the bed-tick, which were proven to have been worn by him the day
before the murder. The clothes, with the hair wrenched from his head
in the struggle with the dying wife, completed the chain of evidence.
Execution of Jones.— Thomas Jones, of Delaware Township, was
hanged in 1868 for the murder of his brother's daughter, Mary Jones.
His two sons were the principal witnesses against him, while his
daughter, Elizabeth, defended him to the last. The sons pointed
out that he wished them to murder their cousin Mary and their uncle,
Henry Jones. He was convicted of robbery on the evidence of this
Mary once, and entertained toward her a hatred which led to her
murder. His daughter Elizabeth, to save her terrible father,
assumed all the blame, and passed ten years in the penitentiary for
her services in his cause, but could not save her father, who was
swung into eternity in the presence of 8,000 people, being the last
public execution in this district. Justice Adam Wilson presided at
the trial in October. During the American war of 1861-5, Thomas
Jones was a professional bounty jumper. He even took over a
number of Oneida Indians and had them enlisted at Detroit under
false statements, and he was not free from accusation on some grave
charges and suspicion of being concerned in the disappearance of
horses and cattle. His execution for the murder of his neice, Mary
Jones, took place December 29, 1868, and Delaware gave a sigh of
relief.
Eocecution of Pickard. — Angus Pickard, the murderer of Duncan
McVannell, a farmer of East Nissouri, was hanged December 28, 1871.
It appears that Pickard fell violently in love with a girl in the
neighborhood. Her father asked McVannell the character of his
proposed son-in-law, and received anything but a favorable answer ; so
that, notwithstanding the existence of an engagement, ring and wed-
ding outfit, negotiations were broken off. Pickard left McVannell's
employ, and asked the farmer to pay him $25 then due, as he was
about to visit his brother in Michigan. He asked the farmer two or
three times for his pay, but each time met with a gruff refusal and
some ugly denunciation. Pickard, driven to desperation, shot and
killed his man. On his own confession, he was found guilty and
sentenced to death. His execution was private, not more than thirty
persons being present in the yard, but a large crowd gathered in the
rear. His taking-off was a bungling affair. The knot was poorly
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
123
arranged and slipped around under the jaw, thus ending in a ten-
minutes' terrible death struggle, as the neck was not broken, and
strangulation ensued.
The Assizes of March, 1872, was presided over by Justice Gait
when the charge against Phoebe Campbell for the murder of her
husband, George Campbell, of Nissouri, was presented. Kenneth
McKenzie, Q.C., prosecuted, with W. R Meredith and F. E. Cornish
defending. The jury comprised John Kobson and Henry Percival,
London; John Lumley, East Williams; John McCollum, McGilli-
vray ; George Routledge, Wm. Martin, Westminster ; Phillip Rosser,
Lobo ; J. Newbeggin, Mosa ; J. C. Ross, West Williams ; Alex.
Mclntyre, Wardsville; John Minhinnick, city, and John Gary, of
Biddulph. In Mrs. Campbell's statement she accused Thomas Coyle
of the murder, but ultimately declared her cousin, John McWain, the
culprit. There were several witnesses examined, and on April 6 the
jury returned a verdict of guilty. She was sentenced to be hanged on
June 20, and on that day the execution took place, the victim being
attended by Reverends Canon Innes, George Richardson, Dr. Cooper,
Miss Mercer, Mrs. Osborne and the Jail Matron.
Execution of Simmons. — The trial of Ben. Simmons for the
murder of Mary Anne Stokes, his paramour, was opened before
Justice Armour, at London, September 15, 1885. The criminal was
defended by John Taylor. The evidence was conclusive, and a
verdict of guilty returned. Simmons was sentenced to be hanged
November 27, 1885, and was hanged on that date. He was born at
Kilworth 37 years prior to his execution, but when three years of age
moved with his father to London. Here the old gentleman conducted
a grocery store, and later kept a hotel on Queen's avenue, where now
is the Club House. The murderer served against the invaders of
1866 in the Harrietsville Company. His spiritual attendants were
Bishop Baldwin, Revs. J. B. Richardson, Hicks and McGillivray.
During the execution the janitor of the court-house was compelled
to toll the bell by the Sheriff, although it was not his duty. This task
was a painful one for him, as he had known Simmons for years, in the
first place, and, in the other, any connection with such a thing so
degrading as an execution was distasteful to him in the extreme.
The trial and execution of Mahon for his part in the McGillivray
tragedy took place at Goderich, thus saving Middlesex the expense
and scandal of another hanging.
The affairs of 1837-8 are entirely of a political nature. The deal-
ings of the courts and bar with the political prisoners of 1838 were too-
pronounced to be associated with a court of justice, and for this reason
the history of the execution of the Patriots is transferred to the
political chapter, where the context may show some cause for the
action of the ruling party of that day.
The nine-tails were well calculated to expel and eradicate brutality
and meanness, and make London of the thirties a most unwholesome
124 HISTORY OF THE
place for the lewd and dishonest. The operation of the "cat" near
Eidout street was a general attraction ; hundreds gathered to see pun-
ishment inflicted on the criminal, while adjacent windows were filled
with spectators. The performance meant business, and there was no
boy's play about it. One thing is to be regretted, .however, and that is
that the magistrates selected for this punishment some stranger, who
was charged with stealing a pair of shoes, or some other trivial piece of
property, while the heavy resident criminals, convicted of some
hideous crimes, were only mulcted in a small fine or short term in the
District jail.
In January, 1810, David Miller and John Emmins were con-
victed of larceny and sentenced to receive 39 lashes on their naked
backs, at the hour of 11 o'clock, on January 15th. Thomas Fitz-
gerald and Jonathan Vandeuzen were found guilty of larceny. The
former was to receive 39 lashes and three months' imprisonment, and
the latter 30 lashes. John Purcell received a like sentence in October,
1819.
In January, 1830, Peter Thomas Surplus was found guilty of
larceny, " stealing a pair of shoes," and sentenced on the 15th " to stand
in the pillory for one hour to-morrow, 12 o'clock, in the public square."
James Aldridge was also sentenced " to stand in the stocks for two
hours, and pay £2 Is. 5d.," for trespass and assault.
A mildewed, moth-eaten scrap of paper shows, in faded hand-
writing, that on the 21st of July, 1830, Jeremiah Thomas was con-
victed of petty larceny, and sentenced as follows : — " To be put in the
stocks for one hour this day, and one hour next Wednesday, and to
remain in the prison for the term of ten days."
John Eadford, found guilty of indecent assault, was sentenced by
Judge Elliot to five months' imprisonment, and to receive twenty lashes
of the cat-o'-nine- tails, May G, 1870. The crime was committed in
London township. The whipping took place on May 20th, the exe-
cutioner, wearing the same mask which the negro who hanged Thomas
Jones wore, bound Eadford to the whipping post and applied the lash.
George Baker was publicly whipped in the jail-yard for his assault
on Mrs. Penny, April 8, 1878. His second twenty lashes were
applied later, and after two months' imprisonment in the jail he was
sent to the Central Prison for twenty two months, in accordance with
the sentence of Justice Wilson.
In September, 1879, an Indian, Josiah Doxtater, received twenty-
five lashes from James Fee, of the 53rd Infantry, the same who
whipped Baker. The sentence was imposed by Judge Elliot.
The Spring Assizes of 1851 closed in February. The convictions
and sentences are listed as follows : — James S. Mason, murder, to be
executed on the 5th of November. Patrick Malone, larceny, three
months' hard labor. Henry Waters, misdemeanor, six weeks hard
larbor. John Hill, larceny, two months hard labor. ' Talbot Chief, an
Indian, misdemeanor, two months. Susannah Jacques, larceny, six
•
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
127
months' hard labor. Charlotte Beehagg, nuisance, three months' hard
labor. John Fowler, larceny, one week's hard labor. John Fowler,
second indictment, three years in Provincial Penitentiary. Talbot
Chief, second indictment, two months. James McMahon, larceny,
four months.
Kobert Soper was convicted of coining money, in Nov. 1858 ; Esau
Reid of horse stealing, and Samuel Douglass of robbery; Donald
McKay, Esther Richmond and Robert Murray of larceny.
The stocks, which stood in front of the court-house, became very
unpopular about 1832, and Henry Groves, then High Constable, took
the frames down to the river and pitched them in. On one occasion
there were two men in the stocks for stealing turkeys, and the curious
people when gathered there or in passing the culprits, themselves
made a noise such as a hen turkey calling her brood around would
make.
John McLoughlin, the wrecker, a powerful Irishman, who was
•an early shoemaker here, came down to the stocks one day. Seeing
the turkey stealers in the ugly frames, he asked Peter Schram :
"Arrah, Peach, what are you doin' with these poor devils here."
Schram responded, telling the cause, but McLoughtin kicked out the
wedges, determined to set the prisoners free. Schram cautioned him
saying : " If you do not behave yourself, John, you'll get there your-
self," while Sheriff Rapelje, who was near, approved Constable
Schram's warning. McLoughlin saw the point and walking away said,
" Sheriff, punish the men decently, but don't make a show for the
whole town."
Other Trials. — On November 9, 1858, Catharine Graham was
brought to trial on the charge of murder. Among the witnesses were
Dr. Henry Hanson, Dr. Moore, Margaret McClennan, Alex. Graham,
Walter Sparkman, Isabella Huel, Jane McKellar, Chester Graham and
Margaret Fyfe. The jury returned a verdict, "guilty of concealing
child's birth," recommended her "to the mercy of the Court," and
she was sentenced to one month's confinement in jail.
The trial of John Harding for murder was heard Nov. 11, 1858.
The jury comprised Henry Fitzsimons, Charles Armstrong, John B.
Elson, John Weir, Wm. Neal, Angus Grant, Wm. Lee, Richard
Haskin, David Baskerville, John Burgess, John H. Burgess and
Robert Fox. The witnesses called were Samuel Pope, Ellen Glass,
Ann McGuire, Robert Kennedy, John Wilson, Dr. Alex. Anderson,
Wm. Coote, Dr. Charles G. Moore, T. Van Vaulkinburgh and Emma
Storey. The jury returned a verdict of " not guilty."
The verdict in the poisoning case, which resulted in the death of
Mrs. Atkinson, was that on the night of Dec. 31, 1858, the old lady's
daughter-in-law, Mrs. Sophia Margaret Atkinson, administered the
poison.
Long, who brutally murdered his wife in 1859, for which he was
sentenced to death, had the punishment changed to imprisonment for
I
128 HISTORY OF THE
life in May that year. Mr. Norris, who suggested the petition for
clemency, resided at London. The sentence of death against convict
McDiarmid was also removed. Eev. A. Christopherson, to whom the
culprit confessed his crime, made a strong effort for reprieve. In
December a boy named John Cain, of Biddulph, killed William
Cahalan, of the llth concession.
On June 19, 1860, William Vallier shot Mrs. Kirslake at his
home on Governor's Eoad. In the formal trial, H. C. E. Becher
defended.
A negro named Mason choked his wife to death at their home on
Clarence street, near Simcoe street, Sept. 19, 1867.
The Francis tragedy, at the Ivy Green Tavern, near Westminster
bridge, was enacted Sept. 24. In June $100 were offered by the city
for the apprehension of the notorious burglar known as "Slippery
Jack."
In March, 1869, Justice Wilson presided over the Assize Court.
At this time the Emma Snowdon murder case was presented. Owing
to the illness of the Judge, court adjourned. Judge Hughes, of St.
Thomas, presided over the Assizes by special commission. At this
time the charge against William and Thomas Jones for complicity in
the murder of Mary Jones was dismissed. Emma Snowdon, charged
with the murder of her four-year-old son in December, 1868, at her
home in McGillivray, was declared insane by Dr. Hobbs, and the jury
returned a verdict of not guilty, although Mrs. Smith testified beyond
doubt to having seen the deed committed. Dr. W. D. Potts, well-
known in London in 1866, was indicted before a Wisconsin jury on
the charge of murdering his wife in June, 1869.
In May, 1870, a coroner's jury found Mary Springstead guilty of
murdering her infant. The girl settled at London in 1863.
The Fall Assizes of 1872 were presided over by Justice Haggarty.
Thomas Boyle was indicted for the murder of Campbell. David Glass
defended and won for his client a verdict of " not guilty."
E. S. Finlay was murdered in Sombra in May, 1874, as it
was alleged, by his wife, Anne, and her paramour, William Henry
Smith, a former resident of London, who previously was tried for the
murder of old pensioner Dunn, at Clark's Bridge.
In November, 1874, after the hearing of the case Beltz v. Molsons
Bank, the Judge of Assize, under a law then new, presented three
questions to the jury on which they were to bring in a verdict. Beltz
was represented by Mr. Eock, and the Bank by Queen's Counsel
Harrison. The jury answered the first question negatively, and the
other three questions affirmatively, when the Judge declared the
verdict in favor of the Bank. Several jurymen at once cried out that
their views were in favor of the plaintiff, and that in answering the
questions they intended to give a verdict for the plaintiff; but the
Judge was inexorable, notwithstanding Mr. Eock's objections.
The murder of Patrick Monaghan, of Warwick, who settled there
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 129
in 1841, was perpetrated March 30, 1876. In April, Eobert Murray
and Patrick Macfie were arrested.
On March 2, 1876, two boys, Elinor Bartram and Walter Guerney,
entered the blacksmith shop at Keyser's Corners to wait for a ride
home. John Graham Smith, an apprentice, told the boys to get out,
or he would be after them, when young Bartram said, " Come along ;
I'm not afraid." Smith, taking a sharp-pointed iron from the fire,
carried out his promise, and stabbed Bartram. The youth lingered until
the 7th, when he died. The Coroner's jury returned a verdict of
manslaughter against young Smith. On March 22 he was tried
before Justice Morrison and a jury, and declared not guilty.
The Fall Assizes of 1877 were presided over by Justice Harrison.
The charge of murder against Mary Began and James Hogan was one
of the few heavy cases on the docket.
On March 15, 1878, J. H. Hargreaves was charged with abusing
one of his hair-factory girls, and on the 27th sentenced to three years
in the Penitentiary. At this time Munn was found guilty of man-
slaughter, and sentenced to imprisonment for ten years. Geo. Baker
was flogged for indecent assault April 8, 1878, and received a second
flogging May 1. Zeller, the Tiffin, (0.,) bank cashier, was arrested at
London, May 12, 1878.
In April, 1880, Justice Wilson presided over the Assize Court.
The question of change of venue in re the persons charged with the
Lucan murders was presented by Mr. Irving, and opposed by Messrs.
Macmahon and Meredith. In October, 1880, the jury disagreed. On
Jan. 26, 1881, the Biddulph murder cases were brought before
Justices Cameron and Osier. The Crown was represented by M,
Irving, Q. C., and James Magee; while Hugh Macmahon, W. R
Meredith and J. J. Blake appeared for the prisoners. The Grand
Jury comprised W. D. Cooper, Westminster ; Wm. G. Carry, Ade-
laide ; Boot. Cowie, East Williams ; Michael Crunnican, Lucan ; John
Elliott, West Williams ; Thos. Elliott, Parkhill ; A. Finnemore, West-
minster ; G. M. Gunn, Westminster ; G. J. Hutton, Caradoc ; J. J.
Jelly, Dorchester; Alexander Johnstone, Strathroy: John Jarmyn,
Biddulph ; John Legg, West Nissouri ; Henry Lockwood, Caradoc ;
James Moran, city ; John Mossop, Dorchester ; John C. Merritt, city ;
Edwin M. Moore, city ; K. S. Munson, Ekfrid ; Archibald McPherson,
city ; Hugh McLaren, city ; Duncan McLean, Lobo ; Wm. Patrick,
London ; John Thompson, Ailsa Craig. This case was ultimately
decided in favor of the defendants. The special commission in the
case, sitting for nine days at London, cost directly $3,355.96, exclusive
of Judges' salaries, counsel fees and cost of witnesses for the defense.
The counsel for the defense were untiring in their efforts to save their
clients, and when it is considered that Bill Donnelly, acknowledged to
be one of the most naturally astute men of the county, aided the
prosecution in the effort to punish the murderers of his relatives, the
victory of the defense is more surprising.
•
130 HISTORY OF THE
In June, 1880, the celebrated case, Ven. Archdeacon J. W. Marsh
v. the Council of Huron College, was heard before Justice Sprague at
Toronto. Messrs. Bethune, Dalton McCarthy and Biggar, represented
the plaintiff, and E. Blake and Adam Crooks the college. The case
grew out of a reception to Bishop Cronyn on his return from England
In 1878-9, and the Archdeacon's expulsion from the Council in April,
1879.
The April Assizes of 1881 were presided over by Justice Patterson.
M. Irving, Q. C., was Crown prosecutor. A case growing out of the
trial of Kent, for the murder of Howie, May 24, 1876, was before the
Court, the complainant seeking damages from Kent. Barrister Mac-
mahon appeared for the Howies, and W. E. Meredith for Kent. The
jury awarded $1,500 damages.
The trial of William and Kobert Donnelly for attempt to burn
Dight & Go's mills at Stanley, took place in November, 1881, before
Judge Elliot. Counsellors H. Becher and John C. Idington prose-
cuted ; A. J. B. Macdonald and E. Meredith represented the defend-
ants. Informer West's evidence was ignored, and the two men were
acquitted.
The murder of John McKinnon, at the Eob Eoy Tavern, near Park-
hill, was perpetrated in November, 1881. Neil McLellan and John
McKillop were named in the verdict by Coroner's jury, and arrested.
In March, 1882, they were tried on the charge of manslaughter, and
acquitted.
The murder of Patrick Delargy by the drunken broom-maker,
George Wesley Code, was perpetrated near Blackfriars' Bridge, April
15, 1882. Delargy was a teamster, who, in a friendly way, took the
drunken fellow to his room, and was shot and killed for his pains.
Code fled, but was soon captured, tried and acquitted.
In June, 1882, Dr. Eufus Bratton, alias Simpson, a South Caro-
linian, was captured at London by members of the United States
Secret Service Corps, and taken forcibly to Detroit. He was, it is
alleged, chief of a Ku-Klux band. When arrested he was 'given
chloroform and carried to Detroit. The authorities of London were
indignant. Deputy Clerk of the Crown, Cornwall, was arrested for
-assisting the American detectives, and dismissed by Mr. Hutchinson,
while others urged that the case be brought before the British Parlia-
ment. Bratton was returned to London by the Government of the
United States.
The alleged murder of Ann Bastard, an insane woman of Carlisle,
in East Williams, was recorded December 8, 1882, and her husband,
Win. Bastard, arrested. The Coroner's Jury found that the murder
was perpetrated by the prisoner, strangulation being the means
adopted.
In May, 1884, A. E. Wrightman and James Graham were
arraigned for the murder of Silcox, of Ekfrid, in December, 1883.
Edmund Meredith represented Wrightman; W. E. Meredith, Graham
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 131
and T. W. Can-others, both prisoners. Colin McDougall and J. B.
McKillop prosecuted. The jury returned a verdict of " not guilty,"'
giving the prisoners the benefit of doubts.
Kufus Eldridge, a farmer of Westminster, was stabbed and killed
in September, 1884. The Coroner's jury returned a verdict of wilful
murder against Harry Lansett, and made Edward Nolty accessory
before the fact. Lansett was tried in November. He was defended
by A. J. B. Macdonald and John Taylor, while W. E. Meredith
conducted the case for Nolty. The jury found the prisoner guilty of
assault. He was sentenced to four years' imprisonment.
On June 24, 1884, George Hall was charged with causing the
death of Charles Breden's child, through gross ignorance in treating it.
His trial took place in November. He was defended by W. R. and E.
Meredith, and acquitted — his friends in the court-room cheering until
Judge Wilson checked them.
In November, 1884, George McCabe was tried for poisoning Ann
McCabe, his wife, on April 26, in Westminster Township. Colin
McDougall prosecuted for the Crown. W. R and E. Meredith defended
the prisoner. The jury returned a verdict of " not guilty."
In June, 1884, Albert E. Wrightman was found guilty of robbing
James Campbell's store at lona, and was sentenced to eight years in
the Kingston Penitentiary. T. W. Carrothers defended him.
In May, 1885, the celebrated case of Charles Hutchinson, Clerk of
the Peace, vs. Josiah Blackburn, of the Free Press, was presented by
Colin McDougall, of St. Thomas. Messrs. Osier and Bayly repre-
sented Blackburn. The libel complained of was the editorial in the
Free Press of Dec. 15, 1884, headed "Blind-folded Justice." The
jury returned a verdict of " not guilty."
The Winter Assizes of 1885-6 were presided over by Justice
O'Connor. In the O'Connell cases vs. Bishop Baldwin and others, W.
Nesbitt represented the plaintiff, and W. R. Meredith the defendants.
The cases were settled on the plaintiff withdrawing all claims to the
assistant-pastorate of the Chapter House. It appears Mr. O'Connell
was arrested at the instance of the Wardens, when about to enter his
pulpit, and placed in jail. He in turn proceeded against the authorities,,
when all charges against his character were withdrawn, and his salary
paid.
The trial of George Dingman for manslaughter was heard before
Justice Wilson in November, 1884. He was charged with causing
the death of Clarissa Baxter, August 22, 1883, by selling to her father
strychnine instead of the santonine, or worm medicine, which the
father called for at the drug store where Dingman was employed, at
Mt. Brydges. The evidence was so clear that the jury declared the
prisoner guilty. He also was charged with causing the death of the
second child, Rebecca A. Baxter, but acquitted. His sentence on the
first charge was only six months in jail, but later he was discharged.
In December, 1885, William Cooper, formerly of London, shot and
132 HISTORY OF THE
killed his second wife, Dinah Knight, and then killed himself at
McGregor, Man., some time before he separated from his first wife.
When the neighbors came, the blood of husband and wife was frozen,
and in it the bodies were imbedded until chopped out.
The March Assizes of 1886 were presided over by Justice Kose.
The only important trial was that of William Moncks for killing
William Shrimpton, on the Hamilton road, February 24, 1886. It
appears the latter was driving by Moncks' house, and, in the delirium
of drink, kicked in a part of Moncks' door. The jury, of course,
acquitted the prisoner.
^Wm. C. Stinson, of London West, was arrested for the murder of
his wife, April 21, 1887, but the charge was without foundation.
On June 27, 1887, Coroner Smith and a jury closed the enquiry
into the death of Ealph Shaw, and held Walter Stevenson on a charge
of wilful murder, June 18, 1887. Stevenson was defended by
Edmund Meredith, Q. C., and acquitted.
Charles and John Carroll, residing near Strathroy, in Caradoc, were
arrested on the charge of hanging Mrs. Jane Carroll, Oct. 1, 1887. On
Dec. 21 John Carroll was held for trial, and Charles discharged.
A most revolting murder was brought to light Sept. 23, 1888, in
Adelaide township. The victim was Jonathan Robinson, an old and
inoffensive resident of the township, who lived by himself in a
small frame house on the farm of Harris, second concession south,
about four miles from Strathroy. He was an Englishman, a bachelor,
and 73 years old. The circumstances surrounding the murder are
shrouded in mystery, as it was generally supposed that Eobinson was
visiting in Michigan, he having informed several of his neighbors that
he contemplated such a trip, and was last seen alive on Sept. 13.
Judges and Counsel. — On September 3, 1821, W. Drummond
Powell, C. J., signed the Clerk's certificate, and in 1827 Judge Sher-
wood, who carne here that year. The first acknowledgment by John
B. Askin of receipts from fines made at London, was that of August
9, 1827, before Judge J. B. Macauley, of the Assize Court.
James Macauley, son of Dr. James Macauley, of the 33rd Infantry,
was born at Niagara in 1793. In 1812 he joined the Glengary Fen-
eibles; in 1822 was admitted to the bar, and in 1829 was appointed
Judge of Queen's Bench. In 1847 he was Chief Justice of Common
Pleas, which office he held until his retirement in 1856. He died in
1859.
Miles O'Rielly, so well known in the early days of London, was
born at Niagara Falls in 1806, and admitted to the bar in 1830. In
1837-8 he was one of Allan MacNab's "men of gore," who opposed the
Patriots at Montgomery's tavern. At the trial of the 106 prisoners, he
volunteered to defend the whole lot unaided, while the late Chief
Justice Allan MacNab prosecuted, Justice Macaulay presiding.
Adam Wilson, born in Scotland in 1814 ; came to Canada in 1830 ;
studied law under R. B. Sullivan, and was admitted to the bar in 1839.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 133
In 1863 he was appointed a Puisne Judge of the Queen's Bench, and
the same year Judge of Common Pleas. In 1868 he was reappointed
Judge of Queen's Bench, vice Judge Haggarty, promoted, and in 1878
Chief Justice of Common Pleas. Judge Wilson presided here over
the Spring Assizes in 1873.
John Hawkins Haggarty, born at Dublin, Ireland, in 1816, studied
at Trinity College, came to Toronto in 1834, and, studying under Geo.
Duggan, was admitted to the bar in 1840. The Baldwin administra-
tion created him Q. C., and in 1856 he was appointed Judge. In 1868
he was appointed Chief Justice of Common Pleas.
John Wilson who died June 3, 1869, was born near Paisley, Scot-
land, in 1809, and came out to this country when quite a lad with his
father and other members of the family. His father was a Scottish
yeoman, who went to Halifax with what was at that time called a
venture of goods. Owing to the wreck of the vessel in which his
venture was, he lost all, and sometime after settled as a farmer in the
County of Lanark, near Perth. The son, John Wilson, passed his
early days upon the farm, and endured a full share of those hardships,
which the early emigrants to Canada were obliged to face, and which
they gallantly overcame. It was here that he formed those tastes
which never left him, and acquired the knowledge of farm life, that
sympathy which a farmer's lot and trials, which came so admirably to
his aid in after days. Having contracted a disease of the chest, he
was advised to leave the labor of the farm, and thus it was that he
became a school teacher at Perth. He continued in this occupation for
about three years, but, being of an ambitious temperament, and feel-
ing, possibly, that he could turn his attention to other pursuits more
profitable to himself, he determined to study for the legal profession,
and entered as a student in the office of James Boulton, now of
Toronto, but who was then practising at Perth. In those days Mr.
Wilson was not blessed with any superfluity of means, and he had a
hard struggle to eke out a sufficiency by which to support himself,
and pay the fees incident to his profession. Among other expedients,
he employed himself in keeping the books of a merchant, and when
too poor to buy a candle, would lie down before the fire and pen the
entries in his firm, bold hand by the light of the blazing logs. He
worked hard and studied hard, and at least was able to find himself, in
spite of many difficulties and hardships, the member of a profession of
which he became a leading ornament, succeeding in due time in
obtaining one of those prizes, a judgeship, to which all young lawyers
look as one of the objects to be kept in view, and, if possible, attained.
•Before he left Perth, however, to enter upon a career in the west, a
misfortune overtook him which caused him a life-long regret, and
directed towards him at the time not a little attention and sympathy.
This was his duel with Robert Lyon, a gentleman who had been a
friend of his own, and a member of the same profession. This took
place in the early part of 1833. At that day duels were of frequent
134 llfSTORY OF THE
occurrence, a mode of avenging wounded honor, which, if now gone
somewhat out of date, was then recognised as a necessary usage of
society among gentlemen. It is needless to dwell at length upon the
cause of the quarrel, but the spirit in which Mr. Wilson entered upon
it may be understood when we say that it was in order to justify a
lady of whom Mr. Lyon had spoken impertinently that led to the
encounter. Mr. Wilson was the challenger, Simon Eobinson acting as
his second ; H. Lelievre, a brother-in-law of the late Judge Small,
performing similar duties for Mr. Lyon. They met at the appointed
time, just outside of the district of Bathurst, about three-quarters of a
mile from Perth. Shots were exchanged without effect, and so unused
was either of them to pistol practice, and flint locks did duty in those
days, that the seconds were under the impression that they might fire
for some time before even a wound would be inflicted. It would have
been well if the result had been as anticipated. After the first shot
Mr. Robinson, Mr. Wilson's second, advanced and presented a paper
to H. Lelievre. Upon unfolding and reading it, it proved to be a
written apology and retraction of offensive words, which it was
demanded that Mr. Lyon should sign. Mr. Lelievre said that he
could not consent to Mr. Lyon signing any such paper, but that he
should read it for himself. The document was then handed to Mr.
Lyon, who, when it had been read, threw it from him, saying that he
would never sign it, and would " have another shot first." Positions
were then retaken, and on this occasion the bullet from Mr. Wilson's
pistol entered Mr. Lyon's side just under the uplifted arm, and pierced
his lungs. To the consternation of all, Mr. Lyon fell on his face, dead.
Thereupon Mr. Wilson and his second returned to Perth, and gave
themselves up to the authorities. They were detained in jail about six
weeks, when the Brockville Assizes came on, and they were tried before
Chief Justice Robinson. Mr. Wilson defended himself, and laying all
the facts before the jury was unanimously acquitted, as was his second.
Much enthusiasm was shown on his behalf, not only on account of the
matter that led to the duel, but the manner in which he comported
himself throughout ; and words of encouragement and offers of assist-
ance came upon him from all sides.
In the autumn of the following year, 1834, he came to London,
settled here, and commenced practice. At that time there were
but two other members of the profession here, and he soon drew
around him many friends. In the summer of the following year,
1835, he married Miss Hughes, a sister of Judge Hughes, of St.
Inomas. From this time his rise was rapid. The people found in
nim a man prompt in business, energetic in every cause he under-
took, and most powerful before a jury. His eloquence was of the
kind that has been called "unadorned," but it bristled with common
sense, and was strong in those great Saxon words which express so
much and are comprehended so fully by those with whom he had to
00. He had no equal before a jury at the bar. He was thus widely
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 135
sought after, and to secure his services in a doubtful case was as much
as to say that the cause was won already. His method before a jury
was to simplify a case, bring it within their comprehension ; seize
hold of the strong points and press them home. With the subtleties
of law he did not care to trouble them, but when a nice point came up
for argument with the Court, he was found to be acute and well-
informed. In his ordinary business he was the client's friend. He
discouraged litigation and promoted amicable settlement, and many a
poor man has had to thank him for timely advice and caution, saving
him from ruin. For himself, he acquired a competency, and then a
fortune ; though it became somewhat impaired in the doubtful times,
in consequence of the generous use he made of his name in assisting
others. Nor was his generosity confined to such acts. He visited
poor people ; got them gifts of clothes ; assisted them in various ways,
and would be a ready champion of their cause if he found them to be
deserving. The mode of conducting his business, his high honor,
buoyant candor, and readiness to serve others, won for him the title of
" Honest John Wilson," and he was by far the most popular man of
his time that the West has seen. His popularity was extraordinary,
and can scarcely be estimated in these days, when circumstances and
people have so greatly changed. Much of his leisure was devoted to
education. He promoted schools, gave lectures to young men, and,
when Merrill's Tannery was in full operation, would go down there
and instruct fifty or more of the young lads in arithmetic, history, and
the rudiments of learning. In 1839, after the Rebellion, he was ap-
pointed by the Crown to defend some of the rebels who were tried in
London. He did not much like the task, but said he would see that
they had justice, and they had. for seven of them were hanged.
In 1842 he was appointed Warden of this District, and was suc-
ceeded by J. Buchanan, now of Chicago. In 1843 he acted as
School Superintendent, and was succeeded by Wm. Elliot. It was not
till 1847 that he came forward as a candidate for a seat in Parliament.
In that year, Mr. Draper, who then represented London, was raised to
the Bench, and Mr. Wilson was elected in his stead as a Liberal-
Conservative. He was a very different sort of man from the Tories of
those days — a class of individuals scarcely to be found in existence
now. In 1849 he was found supporting the conciliatory policy of
Lord Elgin in the celebrated Rebellion Losses Bill ; a measure which
created intense excitement throughout the country, and led to the
verge of a counter rebellion. Some of the London Tories having ex-
pressed dissatisfaction at Mr. Wilson's course, he determined to test
the question, and resigning voluntarily was re-elected without any
serious opposition. He continued in Parliament, representing London,
until 1851, when he was defeated by T. C. Dixon, a hatter of this
place, and a Tory. This was owing, in a great measure, to some
indiscretion of speech attributed to Mr. Wilson in Parliament, reflect-
ing on the Irish population. The defeat, by a very small majority,
136 HISTORY OF THE
about twelve votes, caused some temporary annoyance, and it is said
even that he shed tears at the hustings when the fact that the election
was lost reached him. Feeling ran very high, and some threats of
violence being made against him, he left the scene in the carriage of
Adam Hope. In 1854 another election took place. These were the
days of Hincks, Dr. Eolph, Malcolm Cameron, and Eobert Baldwin —
names rarely heard now in connection with politics, but which had rare
significance then. Mr. Wilson was now thoroughly with the Keform
party. He was for reciprocity ; no separate schools ; economy, and
adopted the Reform platform generally. His opponent was T. C. Dixon
again, who declared that the Treaty of Reciprocity would be a " cut-
throat measure." But Mr. Wilson proved too much for his antagonist,
and was elected by nearly seventy votes. At that time the Reformers
swept this Western country — Oxford, Middlesex (east and west),
London, Elgin, Kent, were all in favor of what was then known as
" Reform," under the leadership of the man whose name we have men-
tioned. The coalition of Mr. George Brown and some of his friends
with Mr. J. A. Macdonald, defeated Mr. Hincks, and a " crisis " came
on. Mr. Hincks wished to see Mr Wilson form a Government, but
Mr. Brown objecting, he compromised matters with Mr. J. A.
Macdonald, arid the coalition of 1854, under Sir Allan McNab, was
the result. Mr. Wilson served in Parliament, acting with the Oppo-
sition until the dissolution of the House in 1857, when, despite the
entreaties of his friends, he would not again contest the city, and its
present member, Mr. John Carling, took his place. He remained a
stranger to public life until 1863, when he was elected to represent
the St. Glair Division in the Senate. He never took his seat, however,
in that capacity, for the Government of Mr. J. Sandfield Macdonald
being in office, and a vacancy in the Bench occurring, Mr. Wilson
was created a Judge, and served until his death, June 3, 1869, when
Mr. Justice Gait was appointed.
James Edward Small was County Judge for a number of years
prior to 1869.
William Elliot, born in England in 1817, came with his parents to
the United States in 1836, and moved with them to a point on the
Thames, two miles from London, Ont., in 1837. His father died there
about 1838, leaving the present Judge to look after the farm. In
1847 he began the study of law, and in 1852 was admitted to the bar.
In 1869 he succeeded Judge Small as Judge of Middlesex, a position
which he still holds. In 1848 he married a daughter of Dr. Robinson,
of Dublin, Ireland. Their son, S. Connor Elliot, was killed at Duck
Lake, Manitoba, in the skirmish with Canadian Indians, March 26,
1885. Young Elliot studied law in Fraser & Eraser's office, and
practised.
Judge Davis has, for some years, been connected with the Bench
AS Junior Judge.
William Henry Draper was born in 1801, near London, England,
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 137
where his father was an English Church minister. He came to
Canada in 1820, was elected to the Legislative Council in 1837,
Solicitor-General of Upper Canada in 1838, subsequently Attorney-
General, appointed Puisne Judge by Lord Elgin ; and in 1856 was
appointed Chief Justice, vice (Sir) James Macauley. In 1863 he was
appointed Chief Justice of Upper Canada, vice Judge Arch. McLean.
In 1869 he was commissioned President of the Court of Error and
Appeal, which he held up to his death in 1877. He was known as
" Sweet William," and while not considered a member of the Compact-
Family, his ultra-toryism connected him with that tribe. In April,
1867, he was Judge of the Assize Court here.
Thomas Moss, born at Cobourg in 1836, was a son of the brewer,
of Cobourg. In 1854 he entered Toronto University, was admitted to
the bar in 1861, and in 1872 created Q. C. by the Premier. In
1873-4 he was elected for West Toronto to the Dominion Parliament ;
soon after was appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal ; became
President of the Court on Judge Draper's death, and Chief Justice of
Ontario on Judge Harrison's death. His own death took place on
January 4, 1881.
On Nov. 5, 1875, Justice Moss opened the Assizes. He was
appointed, vice Justice Strong, elevated to the newly organized
Supreme Court. William Horton, then senior barrister of London,
presented the address, which was signed by the following named
members of the Law Circle of London : — W. Horton, J. Shanly, E. J.
Parke, T. Scatcherd, C. Hutchinson, E. W. Harris, J. H. Flock, E.
Bayly, C. D. Holmes, V. Cronyn, C. F. Goodhue, D. McMillan, W. R.
Meredith, Warren Eock, E. B. Eeed, Hugh Macmahon, W. P. E.
Street, D. Glass, C. S. Corrigan, J. H. Eraser, B. Cronyn, Jas. Magee,
Henry Becher, W. W. Fitzgerald, George Gibbons, J. Taylor, W. H.
Bartram, I. Martin, A. Greenlees, George McNab and M. D. Eraser.
Chief Justice Harrison, who died in November, 1878, was called
to the Bar in 1855, created Q. C. in 1867, and elevated to the Bench
in 1875.
The Spring Assizes of 1870 was presided over by Justice Morrison.
In October, 1876, Justice Burton presided over the Assizes. In his
charge to the Grand Jury, he reverted to his first visit to' London
years before, when Judge Macaulay presided over the annual Assize
Court ; compared the past with the present, and seemed well pleased
with the progress of the county in all things, except the county
buildings. The court-house he called a pest-house, and attributed to
it the death of Justice Wilson. The Fall Assizes of 1881 was presided
over by Justice Burton. In April, 1885, Chief Justice M. C.
Cameron presided at the Assizes. The celebrated case of Julia E.
Harris vs. Waterloo Mutual Insurance Co. was heard at this time. W.
E. and E. Meredith represented the plaintiff, and B. B. Osier and
Bowlby the defendant. The jury awarded her $547 and costs.
Justice Falconbridge opened the Fall Assizes of 1888, Sept. 10, this
being his first official visit to London.
I
138 HISTORY OF THE
Hugh Macmahon, Q. C., born in Guelph, Ont., in 1836, descended
from an ancient Irish family, was admitted to the bar in 1864, and in
1869 settled at London. In 1 876 he was created Queen's Counsel, and
the following year was leading counsel before the arbitrators in the case
of the Ontario boundary, and in 1884 before the Privy Council of
Great Britain and Ireland. In 1880, and all through the trial of the
Biddulph cases, he, assisted by W. R. Meredith, Q. C., defended his
clients with extraordinary energy and success. He, with Col. Shanly,
were the main promoters of the Irish Benevolent Society of London.
At the close of 1883 he removed to Toronto. On May 7, 1888, we
find him presiding as Judge of the Assize Court at London. The
Middlesex Law Association was represented by the following : — W. E.
Meredith, Q. C. ; E. Meredith, Q. C. ; M. D. Eraser, Charles
Hutchinson, J. B. McKillop, Frank Love, W. H. Bartram, Ed. Flock,
H. B. Elliot, W. J. Marsh, N. P. Graydon, E. M. Meredith, Talbot
Macbeth, Colin McDougall, C. G. Jarvis, Lieut.-Colonel Macbeth, J.
H. Flock, Lieut.-Colonel Shanly, E. M. Toothe, George Moorehead,
James Magee, W. W. Fitzgerald, Thomas Meredith, E. Bayly, Q. C. ;
H. Becher, Q. C.; Folinsbee, Coyne, Nellis, J. C. Judd, Edmund
Weld, Tennant, A. 0. Jeffery, E. T. Essery, B. C. McCann, and others.
W. E. Meredith read the following address : —
To the Honorable Hugh Macmahon, one of her Majesty's Justices of the High Court
for Ontario : —
YOUR LORDSHIP, — The members of the legal profession of the City of London
and County of Middlesex beg leave, at this the earliest opportunity afforded them, to
offer to you their hearty congratulations upon your attaining that highest of honors
and responsibilities in the profession — a Judgeship. "Whilst the profession in other
cities and counties have had the gratification of earlier offering to you their congratula-
tions, we feel that we have an especial right and privilege to do so, remembering for
how long you were among us, and that the majority of us have had the pleasure of
practising in the same profession with you in this city for many years, so that, although
we cannot claim you as of one of us, yet it is one of more than ordinary gratification to
us, and we feel affords us the better right to congratulate you, and at the same time
to be the better able to congratulate the profession in general, and the country at
large, in obtaining a Judge so well calculated to maintain the high standard of the
bench, past and present, of this Province. Permit us to express the hope that a long
and eminent career is before you, and to assure you of the more than ordinary pleasure
it is to welcome you to the City of London upon your first visit in your high official
capacity. W. R. MEREDITH,
President of the Middlesex Law Association.
GEO. MOOREHEAD,
Secretary of the Middlesex Law Association.
Among the attorneys named in the records of 1838 are : — Jamea
Givens, afterwards Judge of the County Court ; W. K. Cornish, who
lost his gown owing to a practical joke ; J. G. Ackland, E. Henry, jr.
(or Hervay), Geo. Duggan, jr., John Stuart, John Wilson, E. E. Burns,
H. Sherwood, George Sherwood, A. N. McNab, W. H. Draper, C.
Gamble, Givens & Warren, Wm. Salmon, E. Burton, J. G. Sprague,
J. Cameron, C. L. Hall, H. E. O'Eielly, C. A. Hagaman, E. Dickson,
Gideon S. Tiffany, Miles O'Eielly, J. H. Price, A. Bethune, John Bell,
J. O'Hatt, E. G. Beasley, E. C. Campbell, F. T. Wicks, Michael Me-
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 139
Namara, G. Eidout, James Boulton, John S. Smith, Wm. Miller, J.
Bell, Wm. Hume Blake, A. S. Milne, E. Macdonald, C. K. Cornish,
E. 0. Duggan, J. H. Price, A. Grant, K. Baldwin, F. G. Stanton.
In 1839 the name of W. Lapenstiere appears in the case of Char-
lotte Armstrong v. Wm. Leighton and John Hobson. In April, 1840,
Frederick Cleverly appears before the Court, representing J. H. Joyce
and Edward Matthews v. Henry L. Thompson. In 1841 the name of
Henry C. E. Becher appears, differing from that of Henry C. E. Becher,
already given. John H. L. Askin represented Joe Suter et al v.
Thomas Dangerfield, in 1841. At this time the name of J. Strachan
is recorded; in 1842 Thomas Keir, A. D. McLean; in 1844 John
Crawford, John Wilson and Thomas Warren; in 1845 James Shanly;
in 1846 E. Jones Parke; in 1847 S. F. Robertson, Geo. Brooke, D.
M. Thompson; in 1848 Thomas Scatcherd, W. H. Weller, Geo. W.
Burton, James Santon ; in 1849 W. Eichardson, James Shanly, jr.,
Warren & Hamilton. In 1850 the names of James Stanton and D.
W. Stanton, Wm. Horton, Arch. Gilkinson, appear on the records of
the County Court of Middlesex and Elgin. In 1852 the names of
Cameron & Eutledge, G. W. Barton, Henry Hamilton, Thomas Scatch-
erd, Eobert Nichol, Wm. Proudfoot, E. Horton, F. Davis and William
Elliot appear; in 1851 Eobert E. Burns, Wm. Proudfoot, Edward
Blevins, Eobt. Nicholl and Wm. Elliot are recorded. From Septem-
ber, 1844, to April, 1852, there were 1,395 suits disposed of in the
London District Court.
From 1835 to 1839 there were 765 judgments rendered. From
December, 1839, to September, 1844, there were 1,103 judgments
rendered. There were 156 cases entered for trial at the March term
of 1847 before Judge James Givens. Of this number, John Wilson
entered 28 ; Wm. Horton, 21 ; James Daniell and John Duggan, 29 ;
Thomas D. Warren, 20 ; E. Jones Parke, 17 ; James Givens and
James Shanly, 19; H. C. E. Becher, 14; John Crawford, 1 ; William
Notman, 2 ; D. J. Hughes, William K. Cornish, Simon F. Eobertsori,
A. D. McLean and George Brook, one each.
John F. J. Harris, F. Evans Cornish, C. L. Hutchinson, 1852 ;
Geo. Baxter, 1853 ; P. G. Norris, 1855, also Eobert Cooper, afterwards
Judge of Goderich, of Elliot & Cooper; Thomas Partridge, James
McFadden, Burton Bennett, of Vienna, and Eobert C. Stoneman, of
Strathroy, Duggan & Flock, 1856 ; J. H. Flock, Walter McCrae, B.
Schram, T. W. Lawford, P. T. Worthington, W. L. Lawrason, J. D.
Warren, Eichard Bayly, Edward W. Harris, George Harris, J. Part-
ridge, 1856-7. From 1852 to the close of 1857 there are 1,657
judgments recorded in the judgment book of the united counties of
Middlesex and Elgin. In 1858 the name of J. Worthington appears,
also S. H. Gray don. There were 1,355 judgments given between
August, 1857, and October, 1858. In 1864 the name of E. E.
Jackson appears, also John Geary and C. C. Abbott. In February,
1859, the law firm of Burton Bennett and Thomas Clarke appears on
'
140 HISTORY OF THE
the County Court records ; R. Ollard, Duggan & Bain, J. McCaughey
H. Massingbrod, E. S. Collett and A. McDougall appears in I860;
W. C. L. Gill, N. Nonsarrett, Cayley, Cameron & McMichael, of
Toronto; C. A. Harth, H. Kirkpatrick, C. D. Holmes, D. C. McDonald,
Charles F. Goodhue, Thomas Carre, W. E. Meredith and C. A. Hart,
1861 ; John Geary, jr., and Robert E. Jackson, 1862. In 1863, C. P.
Higgins, Samuel Barker, D. Macmillan, Alex. Mackenzie, Geo. Green,
Samuel Barker, Philip Mackenzie, Verschoyle Cronyn, Geo. E. Moore
and Warren Rock. In 1864, David Glass, Samuel Barker, Leon M.
Clench, J. A. Carroll, David Wilson and Charles S. Jones, of St.
Marys. In 1865, the record bears the names of E. Stonehouse, W. P.
R. Street, just appointed Justice of Supreme Court, Patrick Darby,
W. 0. Meade King, C. S. Corrigan, A. J. B. Macdonald and W. P.
Laird. In 1866, Geo. Moncrief, now representing East Lambton in
Parliament, J. A. Miller, John J. Brown, Thomas Clegg, C. McDonald,
H. H. Coyne, George Railton, Drummond, T. A. Mills, Cutten and
E. M. Scane. In 1867, R. C. Scatcherd. In 1868, Mackenzie,
J. H. Eraser, Thomas T. Irvine, James Magee, Mr. Livingstone,
Edmund Meredith, H. Whateley and Henry Ellis. In 1869, Hugh
Macmahon, J. E. Harding and J. 0. Ouilette. In 1870, Henry E
Nelles, E. B. Reed, A. Bell, J. R. Dixon. In 1871, Thomas J. Wilson,
W. W. Fitzgerald, T. O'Brien, G. C. Gibbons. In 1872, John Taylor,
E. H. Duggan, A. E. Irving and John Cameron. In 1873, J. Woods,'
W. H. Bartram, Andrew Greenlees. In ] 874, T. J. Wilson, John
Bell, Kenneth Goodman. In 1874, J. Martin, PI. T. W. Ellis and
A. F. Campbell. In 1875, E. T. Essery, M. D. Eraser. In 1876, W.
Norris, Benj. Cronyn In 1877, J. Gowans and Francis Love/ In
1878, Malcomson, Watson and W. T. Lawson. In 1879, T. E. Law-
son, A. Keefer, H. Vivian, Thomas A. Keefer, J. J. Blake, George
McNab, A. 0. Jeffery. In 1880, Win. McDiarmid, T. T. Macbeth.
In 1882, H. W. Hall, and in 1883, B. C. McCann, were admitted to
the Law Circle.
Among the old members of the Bar, whose reminiscences may not
be given in the pages devoted to biography, were Stephen Hacket
Graydon, born at Birr, Ireland, in 1819; settled on a farm near
London in 1846. In 1847 he returned to Ireland and was married
there. In 1848, with his friends, Wescott and Birrell, he visited
Australia ; returned in 1851, and studied law with Parke & Parke
SS?1 TTWaS Mayor> vice Christie> resigned, and was elected Mayor
in 1870. He was a very able solicitor. In 1884 his son, A E H
Graydon, died in Texas.
The present Bar of Middlesex comprises :— W. H. Bartram, W. W
Fitzgerald, Richard _Bayly Q. 0, R. Bayly, jr., J. H. A. Beattie, Henry
™fTi Q w' ?' nieti8' ?.S Blackburn, Thomas Bowman, A. G
Chisholm W. J. Clark, John Cameron, R. K. Cowan, A. B. Cox V
Cronyn, Chns^ Corrigan, R. H. Digiiam, H. B. Elliot, E. T, Essery F
C. Cryer, J. H. Flock, E. W. M. Flock, Follinsbee, J. H. Eraser Q C
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 141
M. D, Eraser, E. G. Fisher, Geo. C. Gibbons, Wm. Glass, N. P. Gray-
don, Kenneth Goodman, A. Greenlees, A. D. Hardy, F. F. Harper, I.
F. Hellmuth, C. H. Ivey, Charles Hutchinson (Clerk of the Peace),
Chauncey Jarvis: A. 0. Jeffery, E. H. Johnson, J. C. Judd, C. A,
Kingston, W. P. Laird, Francis Love, T. H. Luscombe, Talbot Mac-
beth, B. C. McCann, John Macbeth, D. Macmillan, James Magee, G.
W. Marsh, Herbert Macbeth, A. J. B. Macdonald, Geo. McNab, James
B. McKillop, Wm. McDiarmid (Lucan), E. Meredith, Q. C., E. M.
Meredith, W. K. Meredith, Q. C., T. G. Meredith, A. A. Mactavish, J.
J. Macpherson, G Moorehead, Patrick Mulkern, David Mills, H. E.
Nelles, E. W. Owens, Thomas O'Brien, John D. O'Neil, E. J. Parke,
Q.C., T. H. Purdom, W. A. Proudfoot, Alex. Stewart (Glencoe), E. W.
Scatcherd, W. E. Smythe, John Taylor, D. H. Tennant, J. A. Thomas,
E. M. C. Toothe, G. N. Weekes, Edmund Weld and Angus McNish.
Francis Evans Cornish, son of Dr. Wm. King Cornish, who came
to Canada from England in 1819, was born here that year, and was
educated at London. In 1855 he was admitted to the bar ; from 1858
to 1861 was Alderman, and from 1861 to 186 5, Mayor of London. In
1871 he moved to the Eed Eiver, and in 1872 was admitted to the bar
of the new province. In 1874 he was elected a member of the Mani-
toba Legislature ; was Mayor of Winnipeg, and for some years an
Alderman there, having been last elected in 1878. For years he ruled
the Orange association in Middlesex, and was a member of the Masonic
society here. Notwithstanding his drinking and revelling, he was
popular with a majority of citizens. While Mayor, he tried, convicted
and fined himself for disorderly conduct, and on one occasion caused
the withdrawal of the British garrison from London, by refusing to
apologize to the Colonel in command. This trouble grew out of scan-
dalous remarks by the Colonel bearing on a member of the Cornish
family. For such remarks the Mayor punished the Colonel corporally.
He died at Winnipeg, November 28, 1878.
Warren Eock, Q. C , was admitted to the bar in 1861, and in 1863
established his law office at London. In 1876 he acquired the title of
Queen's Counsel, and a year later formed a partnership with Talbot
Macbeth.
James Shanly, Q. C., born at " The Abbey," Stradbally, Queen's
County, Ireland, is a son of one of the pioneers of Nissouri (also
named James) who emigrated from Ireland, and in J 837 established
his home here known as " Thorndale," near the village of that name.
Col. Shanly has taken an active part in militia affairs, as told in the
military chapter. He received his legal education in Canada and
here was created a Queen's Counsel, while for many years he has held
the position of Master-in-Chancery.
William P. E. Street, born at London, Ont, in 1841, was admitted
to the Bar in 1864, and created Queen's Counsel in 1883. In 1885-
he was Chairman of the North- west Half-breed Commission, and in
1888 appointed Judge of the Supreme Court.
142 HISTORY OF THE
C. B. Reed, a law student of London, was drowned at Toronto,
while skating, in March, 1862.
Patrick W. Darby, a barrister of London, died in October, 1865.
He had just completed his law studies, and for some years delighted
London audiences by his rendition of Irish music.
Early Probate Business. — Under date of June 15, 1814, the fol-
lowing account was rendered against the county by Daniel Whitman,
charges incurred for the funeral of Lydia Whitman. Whitman
charged £2 4s. for a coffin, 12s. for grave digging, £1 12s. for a
winding-sheet, and £4 for nursing, washing, use of house and sundry
services, aggregating £8 8s. Od. This was evidently a probate busi-
ness, for after £69 17s. 2|d. and the sum named above are debited,
David Whiteman, or Wightman, is credited with £17 6s. Od., his own
account plus £103 3s. Od., proceeds of auction, and received £42 4s.
9Jd. from Magistrate Backhouse.
Early Court of Bequest — In January, 1830, the Townships of
Ekfrid, Mosa, Caradoc, Lobo and Delaware were set off as a Division
of a Court of Bequest, with Duncan McKenzie and James Parkinson,
Commissioners.
The Middlesex Law Association was formed October 4, 1879. In
December a deputation, composed of W. R. Meredith, Parker, Magee,
and Sheriff Glass, addressed the County Council, asking that a room
in the court-house be set apart for a law library. This was granted,
and to-day the law library, in charge of Librarian Simmons, shows a
large collection of law books, reports, and some useful books of a
general character. The remodelled court-house, in which the library
is, was opened December 2, 1878, by Judge Davis.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
143
CHAPTER VIII.
MILITARY AFFAIRS.
Governor Simcoe always entertained the idea of the re-conquest of
the United States. His plans were directed toward this end, and with
that object he established in his mind's eye a central government at
London on the Thames, with an arsenal and ship-yard at Chatham,
and redoubts along the lakes and Niagara River. He divided the
country into counties for militia purposes, and made laws for the
organization and management of all male inhabitants. The Quakers,
Baptists and Tunkers were to pay twenty shillings per annum in time
•of peace and one hundred shillings sterling per year in time of war for
this their exemption from service — the proceeds to be devoted to the
payment of an Adjutant-General. The regular soldiers under his com-
mand were ordered to cut out the Dundas road from Lake Ontario to
the forks of the Thames, and Yonge street from Lake Ontario to Lake
Simcoe. All this and much more was accomplished before the first
year of this country ; but English diplomats, filled with experiences of
the Revolution, failed to be so sanguine as Simcoe, and so deferred a
war on the United States until 1812.
Surrender of Detroit. — The events leading to the Battle of the
Thames, date to the surrender of Detroit. This surrender of Aug. 16,
1812, and its occupation by the British for a year, were brought about
by a lawyer named Brush, who was unfriendly to the American cause,
although he was Governor Hull's legal adviser. Brush consorted with
General Brock and advised the manner of attack, even as he advised
Hull to surrender, and this was made more manifest, for when Brock
had arrived within musket range he halted, and stood still regarding
the American force and their ability to oppose him, as if in doubt
whether he was leading his men into a trap. Judge William Connor,
of Mt. Clemens, and other old citizens of Detroit, who were present,
state that Hull's cowardice and Brush's treachery led to this affair, and
refer to the fact of Hull being so excited and scared at his share in
bringing over the British troops, that he besmeared his coat, vest,
ruffled bosom and white cravat with tobacco juice, lost in toto the
appearance of Hull of the Revolution, and assumed the look of a
•criminal. Another surrender was also made where now stands the
city of St. Glair. Patrick Sinclair, a British officer, built in 1763 a
fort and trading-house. In 1782 nineteen other Britishers settled in
the neighborhood. In 1807 the Michigan militia under Captain Roe
•occupied this post, and also another post located just below Marine
City. During the war of 1812 this post and Captain Joe. Roe's com-
pany of forty men were captured by a British force ; but in May,
10
144 HISTORY OF THE
1814, the river bank was again in possession of the American Rangers
under Captain Gratiot.
Battle of the Thames.— Commodore Perry obtained a signal victory
over the British naval forces on Lake Erie, September 10, 1813. This
force comprised the ships Detroit, 19 guns ; Queen Charlotte, 17 guns ;
the schooner Lady Prevost, 13 guns; the brig Hunter, 10 guns; the
sloop Little Belt, 3 guns and the schooner Chippewa, 1 gun and 2
swivels. Opposed to this was Perry's flagship, the Lawrence and the
Ariel, poorly armed, and a few small boats hurriedly put together at
Put-in-Bay, such as the Scorpion and Tigress. With the captured
vessels he advanced on Windsor or Maiden, and on September 23 he
took over to Maiden from Detroit 1,200 men of Harrison's army,
among whom were 120 regular troops, the remaining 1,080 being
Kentucky riflemen. The balance of the army, 1,500 irregular troops
and 30 Indians, were held at Detroit. Gen. Proctor's force comprised
900 British regular troops and 1,500 Indians commanded by Tecumseh.
Perry ran some of his small boats up to Moravian Town and
Chatham, while Harrison's mounted infantry pushed forward along the
north bank of the river and forded the Thames twelve miles below the
Moravian Mission, and about that distance from Lot 4 in the Gore of
Zone, where Tecumseh fell. That night the advance guard arrived at
Dalson's Station, where they bought from Mrs. Dalson several hundred
loaves of bread (which Gen. Proctor's army left behind), paying the
woman for each twenty-five cents. Next day the army resumed the
march and came up with the British regulars, who opened fire first. Har-
rison promptly returned the fire, and ordered Col. Johnson's Kentucky
cavalry to charge upon their lines. This charge was admirably made,
breaking the lines and square and permitting the riflemen to advance
without loss to make the whole British force, then present, prisoners.
Tecumseh's great Indian army was held below, and a little to the
right of the position held by the regular British troops, in a dense low
bush. The riflemen dashed against this position, but were repulsed.
The message for aid just came as the British regulars were disarmed,
and Col. Johnson's cavalry was sent forward. In this charge Col.
Johnson was wounded, but the battle went forward for thirty minutes
longer until Tecumseh himself fell, when the field belonged to
Kentucky. After the battle Col. Whitney, an old Kentucky citizen
accompanying the army, was found lying dead, and within four rods
of him lay Tecumseh. The location was on the " openings," just
beyond the low ground where the Indians first took position in the
bush.
It is said that Perry's victory on Lake Erie was concealed from
Tecumseh by Proctor, for fear of its effect on his savage followers.
Tecumseh, seeing Proctor's preparations to retire eastward from the
American frontier, suspected the truth. At a council held in one of
the storehouses at Amherstburg, Tecumseh, with great vehemence of
manner, addressed Proctor, saying : —
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
145
"Father, listen! Our fleet has gone out; we know they have fought; we have
heard the great guns ; but we know nothing of what has happened to our father with
one arm (Captain Barclay). Our ships have gone one way, and we are much astonished
to see our father tying up everything and preparing to run the other way, without
letting his red children know what his intentions are. You always told us to remain
here to take care of the lands. You always told us you would never draw your foot off
British ground ; but now, father, we see you are drawing back, and we are sorry to
see our father do so without seeing the enemy. We must compare our father's con-
duct to a fat dog that carries its tail upon its back ; but, when affrighted, it drops it
between its legs and runs off.
' ' Father, listen ! The Americans have not yet defeated us by land, neither are we
sure that they have done so by water ; we, therefore, wish to remain here and fight
our enemy, should he make his appearance. If they defeat us, then we will retreat
with our father. You have got the arms and ammunition which our great
father, the King, sent for his red children. If you have an idea of going away, give
them to us, and you may go and welcome for us. Our lives are in the hands of the
Great Spirit. We are determined to defend our lands, and, if it be His will, we wish
to leave our bones upon them."
Lossing, in his " Pictorial Field-Book of the War of 1812," from
which we extract the above speech, says its effect was electrical.
Major H. H. Owsley, a soldier in this campaign, speaking of the
death of Tecumseh, says that the Battle of the Thames was a short,,
hot skirmish, in which Tecumseh died like a hero and a patriot, and
Proctor showed himself to be a poltroon of the most pusillanimous
type. He related incidentally how the story that Colonel Johnson had
killed Tecumseh originated, and gave the name of the soldier who did
kill the great Shawanee. " Tecumseh was," said Major Owsley, " as
fine a specimen of physical manhood as ever I saw. He was above
middle height, beautifully proportioned, features singularly regular for
an Indian, a handsomely-shaped face, eyes like an eagle, and of grace-
ful, though haughty, manner. Indian and foe though he was, I could
not withhold my admiration for his patriotism, his bravery, and his
ability. It is said that he had a premonition of his approaching end.
At all events, at the Thames, he threw off his Brigadier-General
uniform, and, putting on a hunting shirt and taking rifle, tomahawk
and butcher-knife, he led his men in person against Dick Johnson's
mounted Kentuckians. The Indians had been made believe by the
' Prophet,' Tecumseh's brother, that ' Tecumseh bore a charmed life,
and could not be wounded.' And when they saw their leader fall
their superstitious fear was aroused, and they broke and fled. For a
few minutes, or until Tecumseh fell, the Indians fought as bravely as
ever men of any people fought. Johnson's men and the Indians did
most of the fighting at the Thames engagement, which was not much
of a battle after all, though it decided very important issues. Had
Tecumseh been chief in command instead of Proctor, the result might
have been different, for Tecumseh was a born soldier." He further
states that " it was generally known in the army that red-headed Dave
King killed the Shawanee chief. King was a tailor by trade, and lived
sometimes at Stanford, and sometimes at Lebanon, Ky. Before we
reached the Ohio Eiver, on our return home to Kentucky, * Davy *"
King was the best-known private soldier in the army. Next to the
I
146 HISTORY OF THE
last night out, before reaching our old Kentucky home, it was whis-
pered around among the soldiers : ' When we get over the Ohio Paver
we must say that Colonel Johnson killed Tecumseh.' "
Skirmish at Byron. — After the battle of the Thames, General
Proctor retreated to Burlington Heights, taking the Longwoods and
the Commissioners' road. He was closely pursued by a small body of
Kentucky riflemen, who came up with Captain Carroll's command
near what is known in later years as the Village of Byron, West-
minster Township. This Carroll commanded a body of mounted
volunteers and one of infantry, both organized in Oxford County.
This force was guarding a train of wounded Britishers from the field
near Chatham, and being unable to keep up with Proctor's main force,
Carroll was doomed to surrender or fight. Taking the latter course, he
took possession of ,a knoll within the great bend of the Commissioners'
road, and with Mrs. McManus, or McNames, (who resided near by) to
distribute ammunition, waited the enemy's attack. The Americans,
seeing a hopeless task before them, retired after one repulse, leaving
the Canadians to take care of their wounded men.
Second Scout. — In the summer of 1814 some mounted Michigan
and Ohio volunteers entered Westminster, and pushed forward to
Yarmouth, but merely took away whatever provisions and horses they
required, and silenced the more active enemies of the Republic in the
settlements.
Battle Hill— The affair at Battle Hill, a few miles west of Strath-
burn, took place May 4, 1814, between the Royal Scots, detachments
of the 89th Infantry, a large body of Kent militia, and some Indians
on one side, and a reconnoisance of the American force on the other.
The first party, commanded by Captain Basden, while bringing up an
-army train, were attacked by the sharpshooters from a log redoubt on
the hill. The British and Indians attacked the position from all sides,
made several assaults, but before daylight had to fall back, having
.suffered very heavily, losing 16 killed, including two officers, and 49
wounded, including three officers. The Americans retreated at dawn,
:and in the report of the captain to headquarters, carried out a most
hazardous enterprise without loss in killed or wounded.
OtJier A/airs.— On May 14, 1814, Roe's Rangers made an incur-
sion into Canada to ascertain whether any British troops were to be
found along the Thames. In 1812 Thomas Talbot was created
Lt.-Col. of militia, then embracing three companies of able-bodied men.
Two were recruited from able-bodied men and widowers, were well
drilled, and known as "Flank Companies." They participated in
several actions against the Americans on the border. On Aug. 13,
1813, however, the war came toward the settlement. A band of
Kentucky riflemen and some stragglers under Commander Walker
came up from the Thames, and burned Col. Burwell's log dwellino
and Col. Talbot's mill. Burwell was then suffering from ague, but the
Americans removed him gently from the house, and sent him prisoner
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
147
to Chillicothe, Ohio. On approaching Talbot's log house, Col. Patter-
son was arrested, leaving the owner to escape in the guise of a
shepherd. The Americans took whatever cattle and horses they
required, and returned. General McArthur set out on his Ontario
raid from Detroit in the fall of 1814. He pushed forward to Grand
Eiver, and foraged successfully, bringing to Detroit a large band of
horses and a heavy train of provisions.
Pensioners of the War. — The act of Parliament providing for the
distribution of $50,000 among the survivors of the War of 1812, came
into force in 1875. That year Colonels McPherson, Moffat, Taylor,
and Majors Leys and Peters made the payments of $20 to each of
thirty veterans at the City Hall, London. Among the old soldiers of
Middlesex present were : — David Keynolds, of Caradoc, was present at
the battles of Queenston and Lundy's Lane, being wounded at the
former place. He had applied for a pension, but never received it,
although he had got one hundred acres of land. He was then 84 years
of age. Isaac Quackenbush, Komoka, was not on the list, but later
on in the day an application was made out for him by Col. Taylor.
In answer to Col. McPherson's query as to what rank he held, Quack-
enbush said sometimes he was in the front rank and sometimes in the
rear. Andrew Heron was aged 81 ; he volunteered at Port Dover, and
was at the battle of Fort George, and received a medal, which he
exhibited ; he was identified by Mr. Eeynolds. Benjamin Myers, Mt.
Brydges, was born in 1791, and took part in the first war, bearing
arms all through it. He never received a cent of pay or a grant of
land. He was at Queenston and Lundy's Lane, and was wounded in
the arm, a piece of grape shot carrying off his coat collar. He could
write his name. Wm. Moore, of the township of Metcalfe, was 80 years
of age ; enrolled in 1812, and served nine months; was at the taking
of Ogdensburg and at the battle of Chrysler's Farm, were he suffered
more than on any other occasion. He gave a vivid description of the
hardships of that day, and stated that he received a hundred acres of
land. George Brown, of Williams, was 85 years of age, and said he had
no other of his family similiarly named. He was enrolled in 1812,
but carried despatches and drew pay at Kingston, where he served
nine months. He volunteered on the 4th of June, and received a
hundred acres for his military services. He did not recollect the name
of the corps he served, but it was the militia of the County of Lennox.
Simon Grote, of Longwood (colored), did not recollect his age ; thought
the name of his Colonel was Clause. The whole regiment was com-
posed of colored men. and he enlisted at the beginning of the war,
and served through it all : was at Lundy's Lane, Queenston, and St.
Davids. He got a hundred acres of land from the Government.
James Alexander Weishulm, of Mount Brydges, was unable to be
present, was lying ill at his sister's house in London township. His
son represented him, and David Eeynolds affirmed that he had served.
Francis Emerick, of Napier, did not have his name on the list. Barna-
I
148 HISTOliY OF THE
bas Flanagan, Mt. Brydges, was past 86 years of age, and served from
1812 to 1815 under Brock. He was engaged at Detroit, Fort Erie,
Chippewa, Queenston and Stoney Creek. He never received any land,
although it was promised, and never received any medal or a cent all
through the war. Nicholas Bodine, Mosa, was 87 years of age, and
served under Col. Eyerse ; he was in the army about two years, and
received three dollars for his services. There was some deficiency in
his papers, and Col. McPherson promised to write to him. George
Henry, Newbury, served as a private in his father's company, pro-
ducing the commission of the latter dated 1804. It was issued by Hon.
Eobert Hamilton, Lieutenant of the County of Lincoln. Henry was 78
years of age, having enrolled when but fifteen. He never got anything
for his services, and never expected to. Robert Cornwall, of Caradoc,
was 80 years old, and served till after the battle of Fort George and at
Lundy's Lane ; was never wounded, and never received a medal.
Andrew Heron certifies that from conversations he has had with Corn-
wall, the latter must have been "out" in 1812. The case of four
Indians from Munceytown was next taken up ; they were named
George King, Tom Chief, Isaac Dolson and Tom Snake. Arthur
Wrightman, of Longwoods, died a few weeks before the distribution.
There is a name, however, in connection with the war of 1812,
dear to Canadians — General Brock. On July 28, 1812, he delivered
his written address to the Council at York, and from this document
the following extract is taken : —
u Trusting more to treachery than open hostility, our enemies have
already spread their emissaries through the country to seduce our
fellow- subjects from their allegiance, by promises as false as the
principles upon which they are founded. A law has, therefore, been
enacted for the speedy detection of such emissaries and for their
condign punishment. Remember, when you go forth to the combat,
that you fight not for yourselves alone, but for the whole world. You
are defeating the most formidable conspiracy against the civilization of
man that was ever contrived. Persevere as you have begun, in strict
obedience to the laws and your attention to military discipline ; deem
no sacrifice too costly which secures the enjoyment of our happy con-
stitution ; follow with your countrymen in Britain the paths of virtue,
and like them, you shall triumph over all your unprincipled foes."
On Aug. 16, 1812, Brock made good his words, when Hull sur-
rendered, under the conditions hitherto explained; but on October 13
he delivered his last speech, and was killed at Queenston Heights
with his aide-de camp, McDonnell. The act of March 14, 1815 pro-
vided for raising his monument on the Heights, £1,000 being then
granted. In January, 1826, a supplementary grant of £600 was
made to complete the monument.
Benj. Wilson, an Ensign in the war of 1812, was present at the
surrender of General Hull, as well as at Lundy's Lane. He was one
twenty men under Capt. Metcalfe, who, it is alleged, accomplished
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 149
the capture of eighty Americans by imitating the Indian war-whoop,
thereby causing the " Yanks " to surrender. During the march to
Col. Talbot's house forty Americans escaped. Several interesting
stories of such captures are told, with many tales relating to the
march through Canada of Hull's unfortunate garrison.
The Delaware settlers who fled to join Harrison's army in 1813
were never recaptured ; but others were not so fortunate, for in the
history of the Quarter Sessions Court references are made to some
early settlers indicted for desertion or treason.
On January 13, 1818, Ellis Buckley was indicted for deserting to
the enemy in 1814. He was placed under bonds of £2,000, with
David and Daniel Hoover in £1,000 each, and ultimately escaped
punishment. The Emmins boys were also arrested on the charge of
desertion.
Affairs in 1837-8. — In the political chapter, the troubles of
1837-8 are referred to. The military condition of the county at that
time may be learned from the following official rosters of commands
then regularly organized : — The officers of the first regiment of Middle-
sex in 1830, were Col. Thomas Talbot, commissioned Feb. 12, 1812 ;
Captains Gilman Wilson and Leslie Patterson, commissioned in 1812 ;
John Matthews, James McQueen, John Warren, Archibald Gillis,
Hugh McCowan and James McKinley, commissioned in 1823 ; Lieu-
tenants Wm. Bird and Gideon Tiffany, commissioned in 1812 ; Thos.
McCall, Samuel McCall, John G. Gillies, Duncan Mackenzie and
Adjutant J. M. Farland, commissioned in 1823 ; and Ensigns Daniel
Mclntyre, David Davis and Samuel Harris, in 1812 ; and Quarter-
Master Sylvanus Keynolds, in 1815.
The fourth division of Middlesex militia claimed the following
officers : — Colonel, James Hamilton ; Major, Ira Schofield ; Captains,
Joseph Harrison, Simon Bullen, Eos well Mount, Duncan Mackenzie,
Eichard Talbot and Daniel Hine, commissioned in 1823 ; Edward E
Warren, Thomas Lawrason, Daniel Doty, Edward E. Talbot, in 1824 ;
Wm. Putnam, in 1826 ; John Ewart, in 1827 ; Lieutenants, James
Fisher, John Siddall, John T. Jones, Wm. Gray, Alex. Sinclair, John
Brain, Arch. McFarlane, Eobert Webster and Nathaniel Jacobs, in
1824 ; Ensigns, Henry B Warren, Lawrence Lawrason, Daniel Camp-
bell, Thomas H. Sumner, George Eobson, Wm. Burgess, Philip Hard-
ing, James Parkinson and John Talbot, jr., in 1824, with Adjutant
Wm. Putnam, in 1826.
The militia officers of District Two of Middlesex in 1830, were : —
Mahlon Burwell, Colonel ; John Backhouse, Lt.-Colonel ; John Eolph,
Major ; Samuel Edison, Wm. Saxton, Joseph Defield, Abe. Backhouse,
Titus Williams, Isaac Draper, Andrew Dobie, Henry Backhouse and
William Summers, Captains ; Gilbert Wrong, John Summers, James
Hutchinson, James Bell, Henry House, James Summers and Alex.
Saxton, Lieutenants, commissioned in 1824 ; Ensigns, George Dobie,
Alexander Summers, John Benner, John E. Kennedy, Win. Mclntosh,
150 HISTORY OF THE
Peter Defield and Thomas Edison, jr., commissioned in 1826 ; and
Reuben Kennedy, Quartermaster.
The militia officers of the Third District of Middlesex in 1830 were :
—Colonel, John Bostwick, commissioned in 1822 ; Captains, Benjamin
Wilson, James Nevilles, John Conrad and Joseph Smith, in 1823 \
Joseph L. O'Dell, Josiah C. Goodhue, Joseph House and Michael
McLoughlin, in 1824; Lieutenants, Wm. Orr and Jesse Gantz, in
1823 ; John Merlatt, Joshua Putnam, James Weishuln, Joshua S.
O'Dell, William P. Leard and Gardner Merrick, in 1824 ; Ensigns,
Jonas Barnes, John T. Doan, Silas E. Curtis, Nathaniel Griffiths,
Lawrence Dingman and Samuel Summer, in 1824.
The First Regiment of Middlesex militia in 1838-9 was presided
over by Col. Talbot; L.Patterson was Lieut-Colonel; J. McQueen,
Major; G. Wilson, J. Warren, A. Gillis and J. McKinlay, senior
Captains; Wm. Shore, J. Simes, J. Patterson, J. Robier, R. D. Drake,
J. T. Airey and G. Munro, commissioned Captains in 1837 ; W. Bird,
G. Tiffany, T. McCall, J. Gillis and D. McKinlay, senior Lieutenants ;
P. Drake, R. Nicholls, J. Robier, R. Evans, S. Harris, H. Burwell, J.
Blackwood and E. McKinlay, commissioned Lieutenants in 1837 ; D.
Mclntyre and D. Davis, Senior Ensigns ; H. Burden, T. Robier, A.
Backhouse, J. Thayer, R. Howard, J. B. Burwell, William Spore, D.
McGregor and J. Sinclair, commissioned Ensigns in 1837; J. Patter-
son, Quartermaster, and J. Rolls, Surgeon. This regiment belonged to
the Townships of Dunwich, Southwold and Aldborough.
The Second Light Infantry of Middlesex was presided over by
Colonel T. Radcliff, commissioned in 1837, with John Philpot Curran,
Lieut-Colonel, and W. McKenzie, Major ; W. Radcliff, P. Hughes and
Robert Pegley, old Captains; J. J. Buchanan, T. Groome, J. P.
Bellairs, J. Arthur, E. G. Bowen, in 1837, and R. H. Allen in 1838.
Of the Lieutenants, William Collins was commissioned in 1835 ; H.
L. Thompson, T. White, G. Somers, R. L. Johnston, H. G. Bullock, K
Bullock and G. Pegley in 1837. Second Lieutenants, J. Philips, D.
McPherson, W. McKenzie and C. White were commissioned in 1837,
also Adjutant J. Arthurs. This regiment was raised in Adelaide
Township.
The Second Regiment of Middlesex militia was presided over in
1838-9 by M. Burwell, commissioned Colonel in 1822, with John
Burwell, Lieut.- Colonel in 1838, and H. Metcalfe, Major. The old
Captains were Wm. Stanton, J. Defield, A. Backhouse, I. Draper, A.
Dobie and W. Summers. In 1831 A. Foster was commissioned, and
in 1838 G. Wrong, James Hutchinson, A. Santon and D. McKenney.
The Lieutenants in 1834-8 were J. Summers, H. House, J. Benner, T.
Higginson, Michael Crawley. The Ensigns commissioned in 1826
were G. Dobbie, J. R. Kennedy, W. Mclntosh, P. Defield, T. Edison ;
in 1832, A. McCasland, N. Lyon; in 1838, B. Plowman, G. W.
Holland, T. Jenkins, jr., and S. Livingstone. A. Foster was Adjutant,
with R. J. Kennedy, Quartermaster. Of the cavalry company, H.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
151
Gilbert was Major ; J. M. Crawford, Lieutenant ; J. Wright, Cornet.
This regiment was raised at Malahide and Bayham.
The Third Regiment of Middlesex militia was raised in the Town-
ships of Yarmouth, Westminster, Dorchester and Delaware. John
Bostwick was Colonel in 1832. In 1838-9 the following officers were
appointed : — B. Wilson, Lt.-Col. ; J. Nevilles, Major ; D. Calder, Wm.
Orr, J. Marlatt, W. P. Secord, J. C. Chrysler, J. R. Bostwick, M. Mc-
Kenzie, J. Manning ; D. Frazer and S. E. Curtis, Captains ; S. Sum-
mer, G. R. Williams, G. S. Bostwick, J. Miller, G. Claris, T. Spore, J.
McKay, H. B. Bostwick, T. Hutchinson and J. Spore, Lieutenants; J.
Rapelje, L. Pearce, S. Price, A. Ackland, J. Coughill, A. Fortour, C.
May ward, D. Marlatt, F. Spore and R. Springer, Ensigns; W. Garrett,
Q. M. ; E. Ermatinger, Paymaster. The Cavalry company was com-
manded by Capt. J. Ermatinger, with J. R. Woodward, Lieutenant,
and J. Bostwick, Cornet. Many of the officers and men of this com-
mand served against the Patriots in 1837-8, prior to the organization
of the Third Regiment.
The Fourth Regiment was raised in Lobo, London and North
Dorchester Townships. In 1838, T. H. Bull was appointed Lieut.-
Colonel. In 1835, S. Bullen was commissioned Major, and in 1823,
R. Talbot, Captain. The other officers of this command were all com-
missioned in 1838, viz. : — Captains, H. Kellally, A. Sinclair, J. Wilson,
R. Robinson, J. B. O'Connor, W. S. Bullen and G. Robinson. Lieu-
tenants, John O'Neil, W. McMillan, J. McFadden, J. Jennings, P.
Harding, J. Parkinson, T. Howard, R. Matthews, C. Madden and W.
Crofton. Ensigns, W. Muttlebury, R. J. Handy, T. Harding, S. L.
Ball, T. H. Ball, H. C. R. Becher, J. Hawkins, W. Warren, A. D.
McLean, T. Parkinson and D. Kent. F. Talbot, Quartermaster, and
G. Moore, Surgeon. The Adjutant, R. Robertson, was commissioned
in 1835. The cavalry company was commanded by A. Robertson,
appointed in 1835. Lieutenant, J. Warren, and Cornet, A. Kier, in
1838.
After the military organization of 1824, a banquet was given at
Peter McGregor's tavern, then opposite the waterworks at Spring-
bank, where Richard Thompson now lives. In the evening, Thomas
Lawrason said at the table : — " I do not want any common men but we
officers to sit at this table." What ensued did away with the pleasures
of the evening, the men descending on the table and taking a full
share in the material part of the banquet.
The Fifth Regiment of Middlesex militia was commanded by S.
Craig, Colonel, in 1837; J. B. Clench, Lt.-CoL; and F. Summers,
Major. The Captains commissioned in 1832 were J. McFarland, B.
Springer, D. Lockwood and C. Gibbs ; in 1836, W. M. Johnston, and
in 1838, J. S. Cummins. All the Lieutenants were appointed in
1832 :— J. McFarlane, H. Miller, A. D. Ward, C. D. Sparling and T.
Lantry. The Ensigns were H. Anderson, W. Sparling, J. Miller, jr.,
in 1832, and D. Lockwood in 1836. In the latter year, W. M. John-
152 HISTORY OF THE
ston was commissioned Adjutant. The regiment was raised in the
Townships of Caradoc, Ekfrid and Mosa.
In 1837-8, London was selected as a military station, the 32nd
British Infantry being the first to occupy the place ; while the 85th
Infantry occupied St Thomas and Sandwich, the former commanded
by Col. Maitland, who was to obey the magistrates.
In 18H7-8, Dr. Charles Duncombe commanded a band of Patriots
from Yarmouth, Malahide and the Township of Middlesex. The fate
of this little company was such as the desperate odds might warrant.
The few who ventured to return to their homes were carried away at
once to the London jail, until the one strong room of that institution
held forty political prisoners, exclusive of the men who were taken
out to die or to be sent prisoners to the seat of government.
A Few Soldiers. — Thomas Carling served through the trouble of
1837-8 in Captain Kobinson's London Cavalry Company.
Alex. Macdonald, a Scotch commissioned officer in the 59th British
Infantry, sold his commission in 1834, and, coming to Canada, served
against the Patriots. He was arrested at Buffalo for his supposed
connection with the " Caroline affair," but was released through the
influence of friends. In June, 1850, he moved to London, where he
carried on a land agency business ; was the first appraiser of the Trust
-and Loan Company of Upper Canada and the originator of the London
Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He died in 1879, aged 70 years.
Thomas Radcliffe, born at Castle Coote, Ireland, and educated at
Dublin, joined the British army in 1811, and, during the squabble of
1837-8, his command captured the schooner Anne at Maiden, January
9, 1838. After this affair he was appointed a member of the Legisla-
tive Council, and this position he held until his death in 1841. In
1832 he sold his half-pay, which he had from 1816, and settled in
Adelaide Township, where he was appointed magistrate and colonel of
militia. In taking the schooner, the Patriot Anderson, for whose
capture £100 were offered, was so badly beaten that he died next day.
In July, 1838, a letter from the Clerk of the Peace at London to
John Macaulay, Secretary to the Lieutenant-Governor, contained a
report by the Justices of Quarter Sessions on the complaint of Isaac
Draper against John Burwell, a magistrate. On August 1, the Clerk
informed Mr. Burwell that a memorial by Thomas Jenkins, sr., Peter
Clayton, Thomas Higginson, John Christie, Dr. James Jackson, R. N.
John M. Crawford, James McKnight, N. McKinnon and 55 others,
residents of Bayham, Malahide and adjoining townships, containing
gave charges against him, was received. A memorial signed by
TE Mletcalfe> MaJ°r of the Second Regiment Middlesex militia,
>b others in justification of Burwell's conduct was also acknow-
ledged. Ihis trouble grew out of the outrages perpetrated by the
loyal militia of the London District in Norwich and other townships
in July, 1838, and prior to that date. The complaint of Joseph H.
Ihockmorton, made in October, 1838, against the militia called out in
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 153
Norwich township in July, was tabled, but subsequently considered
and recommended to the Governor.
Military Organizations. — The first cavalry regiment was raised
in 1854 : — No. 1 Troop at St. Thomas, by Capt. Bannerman, who was
succeeded by Major Cole ; No. 2 at London, by Capt. Burgess, later
commanded by Lieut. Strothers during the Fenian troubles ; No. 3, of
Courtwright, by Capt. Bridge water, later under Major Stewart, Lieut's
Day and Fitzgerald. The Kingsville company was organized by Capt.
Wigle, also in 1854, but disbanded shortly, was dead until 1871, when
Capt. Murray revived it, and later gave the command to Wigle. In
1872 the companies were organized as a regiment with Lieut.- Col.
Cole, Major Dempster, Adjt. Neville, Quartermaster B. Higgins, Sur-
geon King and Veterinary J. H. Wilson.
In 1856 Major H. Bruce was appointed to command the Volunteer
Eifle Companies at London, and Sergeant-Major W. Starr was appointed
store-keeper in 1857. In May, 1855, James Shanly was commis-
sioned Major ; J. G. Home and V. Croriyn, Lieutenants ; and V. A.
Brown, Surgeon of the London Field Battery. The London Second Rifle
Company was commanded by Capt. A. C. Hammond, Lieutenants S.
Morley and W. C. L. Gill, with J. Macbeth, Ensign. The London
Highland Rifle Company was commanded by Capt. James Moffatt,
Lieut. D. M. McDonald, Ensign W. Muir, and Surgeon D. McKellar.
Duncan Mackenzie, born in Scotland in 1787, served in the
British artillery at Waterloo ; married in Scotland in 1816; came to
Canada in 1817. and Oct. 16, 1818, settled on Con. 4, London. In
1837 he was appointed militia captain, and in 1857 magistrate. For
several years he was Acting and Associate Commissioner of the Court
of Bequest. In 1837 he commanded a battery at Chippewa, was then
ordered to London, where, in 1841, he raised the London Independent
Volunteer Artillery, which he kept up at his own expense for fifteen
years. In 1856 he retired, and died Aug. 2, 1875. Thomas Peel,
born in Ireland in 1826, settled at London in 1842-3. In 1843, when
Squire Mackenzie organized the first militia company of artillery, he
and A. S. Abbott were the first to join. The latter is the only member
now living. In 1841 Peel established his merchant-tailoring house,
which he conducted until his death in 1884.
The London Field Battery may be said to be the successor to Capt.
Mackenzie's battery of 1841, of which A. S. Abbott was a member.
In 1856 the present battery was organized by Col. Shanly and Major
Starr. The field guns were brought from England, being the first
used by Canadian militia. In 1866 this command was at Sarnia for
two weeks, and in later times appeared on the frontier. Capt. Peters,
who joined in 1866, succeeded Shanly. Capt, John Williams has
served 22 years with the battery.
Preparing to Invade the States. — Buckley's Artillery Corps was
organized in December, 1861 ; also the Merchants' Rifle Co., with
Oapt. Taylor commanding; also Major Bruce's Volunteer Corps.
154 HISTORY OF THE
While at Strathroy, Lt.-Col. Johnston was engaged in the work of
military organization. Capt. Macbeth's company was thoroughly
organized. In this. month also the leaders of the militia assembled in
one of Lawrason's large rooms for perfecting themselves in military
drill. Among the officers were :— Colonel, J. B. Askin; Lieut.-
Colonels, L. Lawrason and J. Wilson ; Captains, H. L. Thompson, J.
B. Strathy, H. Chisholm, W. Lawrason, J. C. Meredith, Chas. G. Hope,
A. G Smyth; Lieutenants, F. Kerby, Henry Long, Samuel Peters, T.
H. Buckley, D. M. Thompson, J. B. Smyth ; Ensigns, George Symonds,
E. W. Keid, J. L. Williams K Monsarrat, B. Cronyn, Paul Phipps ;
Captain and Adjutant, A. Walsh.
Major James Rivers of the London Cavalry was retired in 1861 ;
Capt. A. C. Hammond of the Second London Rifle Co., in 1860 ; Lieut.
D. McDonald of London Highland Rifle Co. and Lieut. Thomas O'Brien
London Field Battery, later.
In 1862, James Moffatt and John I. Mackenzie organized a High-
land Scotch military company at London. At their joint expense this>
company was equipped and uniformed, the clothes being purchased at
Glasgow, Scotland. Mackenzie was a private and Moffatt a Captain.
At the time of the Trent affair, Mackenzie raised and commanded Co.
1, London Battalion of 7th Fusiliers, but moved to Hamilton in 1866.
He settled at London in 1853.
In February, 1862, a number of British troops, including the 63rd
Regiment, arrived at London in addition to the volunteer force of
Middlesex, and excitement in re the invasion by Americans ran so
high that the Phoenix Fire Company was converted into " a Home
Guard Rifle Company." The illegal capture of Mason and Slidell by the
Americans in November, 1861, and the general sympathy of Canadians
with the Southern States, almost lead the people of Canada into the*
mesh of British diplomacy in 1862. In fact, matters were carried to
such extremes of indignation that the whole military force of Canada and
Great Britain was ready to attempt the invasion of the Northern States.
Federal diplomacy settled the trouble promptly, repaired the illegal
act by surrendering the capturing Southern Commissioners and admit-
ting the mistake, and local affairs, so far as Middlesex was concerned,,
allowed the British Government to withdraw the troops without fear
of a resort to arms with the United States.
In the spring of 1863 the question of withdrawing the troops from
London was made more interesting by the following paragraph in the
Governor's letter to Major-General Napier : — " I base reasons on the
assumption that a majority of members of this Council and the citizens
are so constituted by nature that they are without any sense or
knowledge of right or wrong, of honor or justice, until it reaches their
understanding through their pocket." The Council denounced Governor
Williams vehemently, and contradicted many of his statements, and
attributed to him a desire to gratify his own private feelings at the-
expense of the Empire. This affair grew out of Mayor Cornish beating;
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 155
and kicking the commandant. He would not apologise, and so the
garrison was removed.
Military Affairs in 1865. — The sedentary militia of the Eighth
District in 1865 claimed Colonel John B. Askin, Commandant ; Major
Murdock McKenzie, Assistant Adjutant-General ; Major Henry Bruce,
Assistant Quartermaster General. The first battalion on sedentary
militia in London claimed Lieutenant-Colonel L. Lawrason as Com-
mandant, and the second, Lieutenant-Colonel John Wilson. These
formed the first battalion of Middlesex militia formerly. The eight
battalions of Middlesex militia were presided over respectively by
Lieutenant- Colonels William McMillan, appointed in 1856 ; Wm.
Niles, 1852; William Orr, 1855; Benjamin Springer, 1852; William
M. Johnson, 1855 ; John Arthurs, 1852; Richard Irwin, 1854; and
John Scatcherd, 1853, the latter ranking in militia since 1848.
On November 13, 1865, Colonel Shanly received an order to hold
the volunteers in readiness to repel the Fenian invaders. No. 2
Company comprised Captain McPherson, Lieutenant Griffiths, Ensign
Ellis, Color-Sergeant McGee, Sergeants McKenzie, Fitzgerald and
Porte ; Corporals, Yates, Payne, Teele and Eolson ; Lance-Corporals,
Bruce, Dewar and Mclntosh ; Bugler, Smart ; Privates, Collins, Neil,
Kelly, Winnett, Blair, Weir, Bonthion, Fortune, Joe Kelly, Dixon,
Moffat, McMullen, Homer, Parker, Eolston, Baker, Mitchell, Hawkins,
Murray, Eeid, Foster, Wilson, Stewart, Cranshaw, Watson, Templeton,
Stinson, Crosby, Maddover, Burns, Cox, Mclntosh, Smith, Patterson,
Graham, Shaw, Ross, Loftus, Saunders, Rogers, Carter, Cameron,
Woodbury, Alway, Clark, Henderson, Short, Higby, Lawrence, Wright,
Sticke, McDowell, Jackson and Cawston. The advance guard left for
Sandwich November 18.
On November 24th the 60th British Rifles arrived at London.
This regiment, known as the King's Own Rifles, was commanded by
Viscount Gough. The 4th Battalion, 600 men, which came to Lon-
don was commanded by Col. Hawley. On November 29, John Mc-
Dowell, of the London Service Co., died at Windsor.
The 26th Regiment dates back to 1866 ; Capt. Graham's Delaware
Independent Company was the nucleus of this command. In the fall
of this year it was increased to a battalion, and on September 1, went
into camp at Thorold to repel the Fenians. On September 14, it was
received as part of the Canada Militia with Col. Graham, commanding.
Col. Attwood succeeded him in 1870, and Col. English succeeded him
in 1882. In 1887 this command comprised 320 men and 32 officers.
The 28th Regiment was organized in 1866 to repel the Fenians.
Companies 1 and 2 were called out from Stratford in 1865 to serve at
Windsor ; the other companies being raised in 1866, and all placed
under Col. Service. He was succeeded by Col. Smith, who accom-
panied Gen. Wolseley to Manitoba in 1870. Col. Scott took command
in 1872 and gave place to Col. McKnight.
A Grim Joke. — The so-called invasion by the Fenians dates back
156 HISTORY OF THE
to June 1st, 1866, when a force of about 550 men crossed the Niagara
river and held Fort Erie. On June 2 they advanced eight miles to
Port Colborne, where the " Queen's Own " under Colonel Booker was
encountered. The official report states that :— " On Saturday morning
they advanced towards Port Colborne about eight miles, when they
met a force of 900 volunteers under Colonel Booker, who were thrown
into some little confusion, but afterwards retired in good order some
two miles. This conflict was the battle of Ridgeway, and lasted
about one hour. The Canadian loss was seven killed and some fifty
wounded. Six dead Fenians were left on the field. Some two hours
after, the enemy retired on Fort Erie to find the place occupied by the
Port Robinson Foot Artillery, numbering thirty-eight men, who came
in a boat from Port Colborne. The gallant little band were soon over-
powered. Several of our men were wounded in this contest, but none
killed.* The captain of the battery had his leg amputated yesterday
in Buffalo. The Fenians then rested themselves, threw out pickets
along the shore, and busied themselves as they thought best until
about twelve o'clock on Saturday night, when a lot of barges and
small boats came alongside. Into these the Fenians rushed pell-mell,
and escaped to the other side, with the exception of some 600 or 700
under guard of the American steamer Michigan. Thus ended the
invasion of Canada, in forty-eight hours after its commencement."
In 1866 James A. Skinner, of Hamilton, was gazetted Lieut.-Col.
of the Thirteenth Regiment, vice Col. Buchanan retired. Speaking of
this Fenian invasion, he says that he was present at the Limeridge
engagement with the Fenians, under Col. Booker's command. He
was ordered to advance his battalion, and was soon engaged with
the enemy. On looking round, he saw, with dismay, that the Queen's
Own Regiment and Col. Booker had disappeared, and later learned
that the whole outfit had fled by the Fort Colborne road.
The force sent forward from Middlesex returned on June 4th.
The Advertiser's report is as follows : — " On arriving at Port Colborne,
the London companies were joined by two from Woodstock, one
from Drumbo, one from Princeton and one from Ingersoll, forming a
battalion of ten companies, under command of Major A. McPherson,
London. Major Gregg, of Woodstock, was appointed Senior Major ;
Captain Beard, Junior Major, and Lieutenant Jas. A. Craig, London,
acted as Adjutant. At eight o'clock on Monday night the London
volunteers arrived home, per Great Western Railway, all safe and
sound, not a single casualty having occurred to any ot them. There
must have been some 4,000 persons on the platform, who sent up a
deafening shout of welcome as the train of eighteen cars arrived. The
following was the force :— Four companies of the 60th Rifles ; two
companies of the 16th Regiment; five companies of the London
Volunteers ; one company Drumbo Volunteers ; two companies Wood-
*On June 6th a great military funeral was held at Toronto. Five members of this,
regiment, killed on the field, were buried that day.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 157
stock Kifles; one company Princeton Eifles. The whole force was
headed by the volunteer band and a number of firemen bearing
torches, who led the way to the drill shed, where six long tables were
spread with bread and cheese, hams, butter, beer, etc. The men
attacked the edibles with a will, declaring it to be the only ' good,
square meal,' they had taken since the campaign commenced. The
Mayor proposed several loyal and patriotic toasts, the most important
of which was : ' The health of our guests, Her Majesty's troops, and
the noble volunteers who have gone to the front in the hour of
danger.' The City Council deserve credit for recognizing the services
of the volunteers in this matter. Messrs. Carling, Glackmeyer,
McBride, H. Fysh and J. B. Smyth, were especially conspicuous in
their activity. The noble fellows being well tired out, the entertain-
ment was not prolonged."
The London Field Battery of Artillery, numbering sixty-eight
men, with guns, ammunition, horses, etc., left on the night of June 2
for Sarnia. The Port Stanley Marines, Captain Ellison, sixty men ;
Vienna Kifles, Captain Treadley, forty men ; St. Thomas Eifles, Captain
McKenzie, sixty men, accompanied the battery. This force was
under the command of Colonel Shanly. On the evening of June 6th
the Strathroy company, under Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston, arrived
at London. Captain Attwood, Lieutenant Stevenson, three sergeants
and 17 men of the Komoka Volunteer Eifles arrived on G. W. E. June
6 and proceeded to the Drill Shed, the balance of the company being
on active service at Sarnia, having been amalgamated with the
Delaware Eifles in March, 1866.
On Sunday, June 3, buglers and drummers are said to have
entered St. Paul's Church during service, summoning the men to arms.
William Hyman, who came to London in 1865 with the 53rd
Eegiment, speaking of the Fenian scare, says : — " Many a Sunday I
have gone to St. Paul's Church with my rifle on my shoulder and forty
rounds of ball ammunition in my cartridge pouch, expecting to have
to fight my way back from the church to the barracks. We came
from Malta by ship to Hamilton, and thence to London by flat cars.
The first London man I met was old Mr. Wheeler. Perhaps you
remember him. He had only one arm. He's dead and gone now,
poor fellow. Then the 60th Eifles, who were stationed here, met us
at the depot and gave us a banquet in the evening, and we had a
tremendous time. The men were quartered then down in the old
O'Callaghan block, opposite the court-house, — that is, one wing was,
and the other was opposite in the Mackenzie buildings. We married
men had quarters in the Eobinson Hall. Col. Harence was our com
manding officer then, and a fine fellow he was, too. Many a night I
have seen him on the streets until morning, ready at a moment's
warning to turn his men out."
In June, 1866, a meeting of the City Council was held to consider
what course should be pursued in case the militia were ordered to the
I
158 HISTORY OF THE
front. The Mayor was directed to consult with Col. Hawley. Col.
Bruce, who was -permitted to address the Council, recommended the
organization of a Home Guard. It appears the troops were ordered
out immediately, for on June 4 refreshments were provided, for volun-
teer and regular soldiers were to leave by the 7 p. m. train for the
front. During the excitement pistols were bought ; Alderman Glack-
meyer purchasing two from Thompson, which were to be charged to
the city.
Col. Peters, speaking on the subject, says: — "In 1866, during the
Fenian raid, we were ordered to Sarnia three times. Once we only
got back and got our horses unhitched, when a telegram came to go to
the front again. The infantry were sent down to Fort Erie. The
cavalry were attached to the 60th Rifles, and stayed right here in the
city. I tell you we saw lots of fun then, if we hadn't any fighting."
Col. Taylor commanded the infantry then with Major Barber, while
Col. F. Peters commanded the cavalry.
On June 20, 1866, the County Council granted $300 to each volun-
teer company, while a motion to pay volunteers who " nobly responded
to the call for the defense of our lives and property, when a band of
murderers and robbers invaded our country" twenty-five cents per
day for actual service after March 1, 1866, was negatived. In June,
1866 the $300 grant was rescinded and an annual appropriation for all
volunteer companies in the county of $2,500 made.
On March 4, 1885, Mr. Broder, of the Ontario House, with Messrs.
Ross and Meredith, of Middlesex, presented resolutions dealing with
the volunteers of 1837-8, and 1866, asking for suitable recognition of
their services.
After the War.— The militia roll for 1867 shows a total enrolment
of 9,759 men, namely : —
Adelaide 512 Nissouri West .604
-Biddulph 636 Strathroy 307
Delaware 281 Williams East 526
Dorchester North 598 Williams West . . 200
Ekfrid 513 Mosa '/..' \ 614
London 1,470 Lobo 552
Metcalfe 427 Westminster... 1031
Oaradoc 776 McGillivray '.'.'.'.'.'.'. '712
The Queen's Birthday of 1868 was celebrated at London by Lieut-
Col. Harence's Fifty-third Infantry, with Major Dalzell commanding;
Lieut.-Col. Simpson's E. Battery, E. A.; Lieut-Col. Lewis' London
Light Infantry; Lieut.-Col. Messiter's Sixty-ninth Infantry; Captain
Dempster's London Cavalry Troop; Lieut.-Col. Shanly's Volunteer
Field Battery. There were 320 men in the seven companies of the
London Infantry Regiment, and thirty-five in the cavalry troop In
June the Fifty-third Eegiment left London for Quebec
Red River Troubles, 1869-70.— The Eed Eiver party, comprisina
Joseph Howe, J. Turner, W. McGregor, H. SeweU and W. E Sandford°
started for Fort Garry in 1869.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 159
On November 13, 1869, the first news of the movement to prevent
the entrance of Governor McDougall to the Eed Eiver settlement was
received at London.
The strength of the 7th Battalion London Light Infantry, as
returned to Government by 1). A. G. Taylor in January, 1869, was
363 men, made up as follows : — No. 1 Company, Captain D. C. Mac-
donald, 55 men ; No. 2, Captain H. Bruce, 55 ; No. 3, Captain J.
Walker, 42 ; No. 4, Captain W. E. Meredith, 55 ; No. 5, Captain M.
D. Dawson, 49 ; No. 6r Captain J. A. Craig, 52 ; No. 7, Captain E.
Teale, 55. Total, 363 men. The actual strength of the battalion was,
however, put down at about 380 men, as some of the companies had
more than the full complement. Captain Dempster's Cavalry Troop
had re- enrolled to the required strength, and Colonel Shanly's Battery
had been numerously recruited.
On the same date the following orders were issued from the
Militia Department at Ottawa : — " Major W. B. Phillips, District
Quartermaster, is appointed Brigade Major of the 7th Brigade Division
of Military District No. 3, vice Shaw, resigned. Volunteer Militia of
the Province of Ontario, 7th Battalion London Light Infantry, No. 4
Company, Captain, provisionally, George Birrell, vice W. E. Meredith,
dismissed ; to be Lieutenant, William Port, gentleman, M.S., vice E.
Meredith, resigned ; to be Ensign, provisionally, James Magee Yates,
gentleman, vice C. S. Corrigan, resigned."
On April 6, 1870, a statement, referring to the disruption of the
Seventh Battalion of volunteers, was signed by a number of the late
officers of the organization, namely : — D. C. Macdonald, W. E. Mere-
dith, James A. Craig, Harry Bruce, E. T. Teale, Captains ; Thomas
N. Greene, E. M. Meredith and C. Bennett, Lieutenants, and C. S.
Corrigan, Ensign. The statement was drawn out by the reflections
made by the Minister of Militia in Parliament on the command.
On April 12, 1870, the London Battery was ordered out to repel a
threatened invasion of Canada by the Fenians, and on the 14th left
for Sarnia under Col. Shanly and Capt. Peters.. On April 14, 1870,
the Dominion Parliament suspended the Habeas Corpus and adopted
other measures to meet the threatened Fenian invasion of Canada.
On May 26, 1870, the right half of the London Field Battery
returned to Sarnia under Capt. Peters, while Major Cole's St. Thomas
Cavalry troop of thirty-five men, proceeded to Windsor. On June
2nd Lieut.- Col. Taylor recalled the battery, cavalry and all, from the
frontier. A great meeting was held at London April 9, 1870, to con-
sider the question of the Eed Eiver troubles.
In May, 1870, volunteers for the North-west flocked toward the
rendezvous at London, and on May 5, left for Toronto in charge of
Colonel Moffatt. Among the volunteers were twenty men of the
Seventh Battalion, namely: — Joseph F. Tennant, Thomas Bayles,
George Taylor, Joseph Tuson, W. Mills, William Patterson, John
McDonald, John Cotter, Lawrence McGovern, James Barnes, Ambrose
11
'
160 HISTORY OF THE
Stock, Jas. H. Cadham, Eoger Tuson, E. Rousell, G. T. B., Joseph
Tolhurst, D. Campbell, W. Wilson, Captain J. B. Campbell, M. D.,
John Cameron, John Mitchell.
In December, 1874, Wm. A. Farmer, of Manitoba, sent in his
application for the reward offered by Middlesex for the apprehension
of Kiel, who, it is alleged, ordered the execution of Thomas Scott.
Militia 1870-82.— The First Brigade Division in 1870-1, of
Military District No. 1, comprised the regimental divisions of Essex,
Kent, Bothwell, Lambton, West, North and East Ridings of Middlesex,
West and East Ridings of Elgin, North and South Ridings of Oxford,
and London City. The quota of the 1st and 2nd Brigade Divisions,
of District No. 1, was 5,517. The officers comprised Lieut.-Col. John
B. Taylor, D. A. G. ; Capt. F. B. Leys, District Paymaster ; Lieut.-
Col. James Moffatt, Brigade Major. The 26th Middlesex Battalion :—
Lieut.-Col. Wm. Graham and Major Peter H. Attwood, had head-
quarters at London ; No. 1 Company, Delaware, was commanded by
Captain Wm. Cox ; No. 2, Komoka, John Stevenson ; No. 3, Harriets-
ville, John McMillan; No. 4, Thamesford, Captain Thomas, Dawes;
No. 5, Lucan, Captain John C. Frank ; No. 6, Parkhill, Captain Jos.
Cornell ; No. 7, Strathroy, Captain John English ; Paymaster, James
Johnson ; Adjutant, W. F. Bullen ; Quartermaster, Frank Hughson ;
Surgeons, Geo. Billiugton and James A. Sommerville.
The 26th Battalion, assembled at Strathroy in September, 187o,
was made up as follows: — Lieut. -Colonel Attwood, Major English,
Surgeons Bilfington and Hoare, Paymaster C. Murray, Quartermaster,
Cuddy and Adjutant J. Cameron. The 26th Band was also, of course,
in attendance. The entire Battalion numbered about 300, consisting
of seven companies, as follows : — No. 1, Delaware, Captain Garnett,
Lieut. Harris, Ensign Mclntosh; No. 2, Napier, Captain Lindsay,
Lieut. Beer, Ensign Dunlap; No. 3, Hametsville, Capt. McMillan,
Lieut. Choate, Ensign Nugent; No. 4, Thamesford, Captain Brown,
Lieut. Douglas, Ensign Holmes ; No. 5, Lucan, Captain McMillan ;
No. 6, Parkhill, Captain McKellar, Lieut. Johnston, Ensign Johnson ;
No. 7, Strathroy, Captain Irwin, Lieut. D. M. Cameron and Ensign
McKay.
The first regiment of Cavalry was commanded in 1882 by Lieut.-
Col. J. Cole, with Major F. Peters in command of troop No. 2, and
Major Stewart of troop No. 3. The London Field Battery was com-
manded at this time by Major Peters.
The 7th Battalion, or Fusiliers, claimed in 1882 a force of 29
officers and 301 men, the members present at annual drill being 24
and 289 respectively. Lieut.-Col. John Walker commanded, with
Captains Smith, Miller, McKenzie, Macbeth, Gartshore, Peel and
Mahon, all of London.
The 25th Battalion, or Elgin Infantry, was commanded in 1882 by
Lieut.-Col. O'Malley, of Wardsville; Captains Ellis, Watt, Weisbrod,
Moore and Lindsay, of St. Thomas. The actual strength at inspection
was 18 officers and 170 men.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 161
The 26th Battalion, or Middlesex Light Infantry, in 1882, was
commanded by Lieut.-Col. Attwood, with Captains Garnett, of Dela-
ware, Choate, of Harrietsville, Dreaney, of Crumlin, and Wood, of
Avon. The force present at inspection drill was 12 officers and 154
men.
North-west Troubles of 1885.— The North-west troubles of 1885
were in some respects, so far as the evils complained of by the half-
breeds, similar to those of Ontario of 1837-8. They had grievances,
some sentimental, some real, for which they sought redress. Instead
of obtaining any of the favors looked for, they beheld the mounted
police force strengthened and preparations made for reducing them to
what they considered a state of servitude. In May, 1885, the follow-
ing named thirty-one men left London, Wyoming and Komoka, to join
this force : — James Armstrong, J. F. Forbes, W. McCallum, J. W.
Stilson, E. McKenzie, H. H. Ellerton, G. W. Steele, J. Barber, D. A.
McCallum, H. Bertram, H. A. Fletcher, J. Johnston, McCall, H.
Green, E. C. Curry, W. C. Maker, H. Craig, J. Lancaster, Pat Naven,
H. Woodward, Pain, Stansfield, Short, McLellan, W. H. Mason, A.
Arbuckle, D. Steel, W. E. Heron, A. Heron, J. Collins. Before their
arrival this petty insurrection took place. Eiel, the leader, intended
to carry on this agitation without the shedding of blood.
The half-breeds, Eiel maintained, had struggled unsuccessfully for
years for the attainment of their rights, and as a last resort determined
to capture Major Crozier and the Mounted Police of Prince Albert,
before addressing themselves to the authorities at Ottawa. In con-
formity with this plan, the half-breeds assembled at Duck Lake, never
anticipating firing a shot, but were confident that the handful of police
would gladly lay down their arms. Unfortunately, however, Crozier
forced the fighting, and without a word of warning, poured a murderous
volley into the concealed foe. Smarting under the loss of a companion,,
the enraged and now uncontrollable half-breeds returned the compli-
ment and defeated the volunteers and police in short space. Eiel, who-
admitted that he participated in the engagement, added that Crozier
needlessly left the dead upon the field. He subsequently sent a mes-
senger to Prince Albert, assuring the authorities that the bodies could
be removed without molestation on his part. Sanderson, the man who
bore the message, met with ill success, and in camping with another
individual days after, conveyed the bodies to Prince Albert. Eiel
added that a number of Indians participated and displayed great
bravery. He also maintained that the wounded on the field would
have been slaughtered but for his interference. The result of the first
fight was that fighting was pushed upon the half-breeds, who had no-
other alternative than to defend themselves. Throughout the entire
campaign, the principle of self-defense was advocated, and the half-
breeds unanimously agreed to act only in the preservation of their
families. When the near approach of Middleton was learned, Gabriel
Dumont was sent out to reconnoitre, with positive instructions not to
162 HISTORY OF THE
give battle. The impetuous half-breed, however, disobeyed, and with
only sixty followers, held several hundred volunteers and artillerymen
at bay. 'His entire force at Batoche never exceeded four hundred and
fifty, 'not including one hundred and fifty others stationed on the oppo-
site bank of the river in anticipation of an attack from that point.
Although the police and volunteers were signally defeated, their
organization carried them through to success until the half-breeds and
Indians were scattered. Subsequently many of the leaders were made
prisoners, and ultimately Louis Kiel himself was captured, tried for
high treason and hanged. During his imprisonment he was denied
all intercourse with the world outside his cell, even the press reporters
being denied admittance.
It is said that Gen. Middleton would have lost his artillery, had
not a Connecticut man, named Howard, opened on the half-breeds
with the Gatling gun.
In April, 1885, the 7th Fusiliers left London for the North-west.
The staff comprised W. De Eay Williams, Lieut.-Colonel ; Majors
Smith and Gartshore, Adjutant Reid, Quartermaster Smyth and Surgeon
Fraser. The Captains were Ed. McKenzie, Frank Butler, Thomas H.
Tracy, Captain Dillon and S. Frank Peters. The Lieutenants were
Bapty and Bazan, Chisholm and Gregg, Cox and Payne, Hesketh,
Jones and Pope. The Staff-sergeants were Sergeant-Major Byrne,
Paymaster-Sergeant W. H. Smith, Quartermaster-Sergeant J. Jury;
Sergeant of Ambulance, A. Campbell; Sergeant of Pioneers, M. Cotter.
The private troops were Color-Sergeant A. Jackson, Sergeant James
Becroft, Corporal C. G. Armstrong; Privates Geo. Chapman, ' Edward
Harrison, A. Leslie, Charles Pugh, H. Pennington, George Rogers, W.
Schabacker, C. F. Williams, Walter Wright, Frank Sadler and Lang-
ford ; Color-Sergeant Thos. Goold, Sergeants McClintock, John Harris,
Joseph O'Roake, Corporals A. E. Walker, W. Dyson and James
Ooold ; Lance- Corporals Joseph Amor and Wm. Brown ; Privates
Hugh McRoberts, James Ford, H. Arbuckle, J. 1. Walker. James
Johnston, J. F. Gray, H. Westaway, Patrick Neil, Charles Potter, W.
D. Crofts, A. Davis, A. McRoberts, James Lozier, T. R. Hardwood, F.
Young, Thos. Livesey, W. Beaver, W. Andrews, W. Ferguson, George
Davis, A. Somerville; Sergeants Anundson and Anglin ; Corporal
McDonald; Privates Wanless, Jones, Pennington, Fysh, Burns, Atkin-
son, Dignan, Kidder, Burke, Hanson, McCoomb, Graham, Mercer,
Kirkendale, Ryan, Caesar, Pettit, Wright, Smyth and J. A. Muirhead ;
Sergeant Borland, Corporals Richards, McDonald and Bayley ; Privates
Lister, Moore, Mills, Smith, McCarthy, Pennington, Macbeth, Webb,
R. Smith, Lowe, McCormick, G. Westland, Benson, Cowan, Ironsides,
Allen, Mitchell, Howard, Davis, Smith, Labatt, E. P. Dignan, C. D.
Gower, Carey, Gregg, Carnegie and W. Owen; Sergeants Jacobs,
Summers and Neilson; Corporals Field, Rowland and Opled ; Pri-
vates Jacobs, Tennant, Best, Dickenson, Walton, Martin, Johnson
Moriarity, Peden, Keuneally, Cassidy, Norfolk, Hayden, A. McNamara
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 163
Hall, Quick, W. Wright, Cowie, Appleyard, Richardson, Northy,
Stinchcomb, Thwaite, Ralph, Beetham, Walton, Sinnott, Rowason
and McNamara ; Sergeant Line, Privates H. Mills, T. Mills, Stansfield,
Black, Collins, Copper, George Clark, Connell, Dunkin, Flavin, Harri-
fm, Keenan, Land, Lalley, Lovell, Morkin, Thomas, Wright, Wilson,
rown, Crawford, W. Wright and J. Clark ; Color-Sergeant Borland,
Sergeants Lynch and Fuller ; Corporals Harrison and Lyman ; Privates
Allison, Barrell, Bigger, Borland, Brazier, Blackburn, Dickens, Duval,
Essex, Hicks, Hood, Hutchinson, McCutcheon, McCoy, McPherson,
Macdonald, Parkinson, Pickles, Pate, Robertson, Steele, W. Smith,
Terry, Whittaker and Woodall.
On the return of this command a streamer was stretched across
the street from Hyman's shoe factory. On this was printed the motto,
in honor of one of the volunteers who worked there, whose name
is given in this list — " Are you there, Moriarity ? " The regiment re-
turned in July, 1885, when a great reception was tendered to the
officers and men.
In 1873 Major Albert M. Smith was commissioned Ensign of
the 7th Fusiliers, and since that time has been connected with the
command. Evan Evans, who settled at London in 1849 as a dis-
charged soldier, died July 3, 1882. In 1851 he was commissioned
Lieutenant in the 12th Middlesex Battalion, and in 1856, when Col.
Moffatt raised the Highland Rifle Company, he was Drill-master. He
was caretaker of military stores for the District up to 1882, and was
Sergeant-Major and Drill-master for the 7th Fusiliers.
Mayor William Starr, born in Ireland in 1812, came to Canada
with Royal Artillery, and to London in 1840, when he was known as
" the veteran storekeeper of No. 1 District." His death occurred in
February, 1884.
Captain A. McRae, who accompanied the Canadian Voyage urs to
Egypt, returned to London in May, 1885.
In November, 1888, it was reported that the 7th Battalion would
pass out of existence prior to the close of the year, and that a new
regiment would be formed. Colonel Williams places the onus of the
Battalion's present condition upon the shoulders of one of the officers.
Military School — The new Military School was opened March 31,
1888. In 1886 an order was issued establishing a school here, and
building begun May 5, 1886. Col. Henry Smith was commissioned
Commandant. The two million bricks used were manufactured by
Walker Bros., while Hook & Toll were the main contractors.
The sale of the Military Grounds was conducted June 1, 1888, by
Auctioneer McElheran, when twenty-three lots realized $35,414.50.
The remaining part of the Ordnance Lands, facing Victoria Park and
Princess avenue, was sold in lots by auction, and brought very good
prices, exceeding the expectations of the London Trust, in whose hands
the matter rested. The total amount realized from the sale of these
lands has been nearly $52,000. This was the block of land which the
164
HISTORY OF THK
Dominion Government gave to London in exchange for that portion of
the Carling farm now occupied by the Military School and Parade
Ground. The price paid for the latter was $40,000, so that, as the
matter now stands, the Corporation of London has cleared within a
fraction of $12,000 cash by the transaction.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 165
CHAPTEE IX.
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS.
The first newspaper printed in English in Canada was the Gazette,
at Quebec, in 1776, the press being brought from Philadelphia by a
Mr. Brown. The Quebec Herald followed in 1788 and the Montreal
Gazette, printed in French, was issued the same year by M. Mesplet,
while Le Temps, in French and English, was its contemporary. Thomas
Carey established the Mercury at Quebec in 1804. The Canadien
was issued in 1806, and continued publication until the office was
confiscated by the Government in 1810, two years after the Canadien
Courant was founded at Montreal. In 1807 the Royal Gazette and
Newfoundland Advertiser was issued, and the pioneer press circle of
the Lower Provinces and of Newfoundland was placed on an enduring
basis.
The pioneer journal of Upper Canada was The Upper Canada
Gazette or American Oracle, issued April 18, 1793, with Gideon
Tiffany editor, and Governor Simcoe proprietor. The extent of the
popularity of the Oracle, outside the official circle, may be learned
from the fact that when Rochefoucault visited Kingston in 1795 there
was not a single subscriber to, or reader of, it in that settlement.
In 1807 an Irish Tory (Joseph Wilcox) established at Newark the
Upper Canada Guardian. This Wilcox was Sheriff of the Home
District, who, on account of some irregularity in office, was dismissed.
Later he was a member of Parliament in opposition to the Govern-
ment; fought against the Americans at Queenston in 1812, but later
deserted to the enemy, taking with him his command, and served the
young Union until killed at Fort Erie. The York Gazette was issued
by Cameron & Bennett at York as early as 1801. The Kingston
Gazette, issued by S. Miles and C. Kendall, Sept. 25, 1810, was the
only Upper Canada paper from April, 1813, to 1816, when the Govern-
ment Gazette was revived. In 1820 the Recorder was founded. In
March, 1819, the Kingston Chronicle and also the Upper Canada
Herald appeared, and in May the Kingston Gazette and Religious
Advocate. In May, 1824, the Colonial A dvocate appeared. The next
papers issued were the Christian Guardian and the Patriot in 1829,
then the Chronicle and News, next the Hallowell Free Press in 1830,
the Canadian Watchman, August 13, 1830, and then the London
Sun in 1831. The British Whig was the first daily journal published
in Upper Canada, but its influence, like itself, was small, and its dura-
tion short.
The pioneer papers named contained very little local information.
Many of the pioneers wanted news from the States, from which they
were driven by laws which could not recognize the rights a native
166 iflSTOKY OF THE
enemy of his country possessed ; men of the governing class wanted
news from Ireland or from England. Canada was a waste, a haven,
where both governor and governed found refuge from the political or
financial storms which drove them across the lakes or the ocean.
Local news was not sought for, and the pioneer publishers had just
sufficient sense to satisfy their few readers. With the year 1831,
however, came a change. The Colonial Advocate of 1824 suggested
some new ideas, but the action of the government party of 1826, in
having the press and type taken from the office and dumped into
Lake Ontario, taught a general lesson which was learned by the people
slowly, and five years later began to bear fruit. To counteract or sup-
port this lesson, to further the growing idea of responsible government,
or check it in its youth, ^several papers were brought into existence,
and Canadian politics became a department of newspaper work. How
the department did increase from 1831 to 1837, when the Liberal
newspapers were silenced ! It was a continuous war of written words
between the advocates of principles, which resulted in the temporary
overthrow of the Eeformers, and, five years later, in the total rout of
the Compact-Tory Conservatives of the old school. Then the pioneers
of Upper Canada realized for the first time the power of the press,
and the people, comparatively unshackled, exclaimed . —
Mightiest of the mighty means,
On which the arm of progress leans,
Man's noblest mission to advance,
His woes assuage, his weal enhance,
His rights enforce, his wrongs redress —
Mightiest of mighty is the Press !
The first newspaper published in the London District was the Lon-
don Sun, issued in 1831, from the primitive building which then
stood just east of Abraham Carroll's hotel, on Dundas street. The
credit of establishing this pioneer journal is given to Edward A. Talbot,
a native of Tipperary County, Ireland, who came to Canada in 1818,
when seventeen years old, as a member of the Talbot colony. A Mr.
Keel had some undetermined connection with the Sun, but young
Talbot was editor. The old hand-press was the wonder of the village
as well as of the Thames country, and it is related that on day of issue,
the office would be crowded with a sight-seeing crowd.
Mr. Bousted started a paper in 1833, and in the fall of that year,
Kobert Summers advertised Gilbert Showers' notes as fraudulent.
The office was on the south side of King street, opposite the square ;
but the name of the paper and the dates of its beginning and end can-
not be stated positively.
The Gazette is said to have been published in 1837, by G. H
Hackstaff. William Thompson, of Dorchester, states that his father
was a subscriber at the time. W. H. Niles remembers the location
of the office on the west side of Ridout, north of Dundas.
The London Freeman's Journal was founded in 1839, by Edward
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 16T
A. Talbot, whose name is mentioned as introducing the first newspaper
in the Erie Peninsula. In 1836 his brother John inaugurated the St.
Thomas Liberal, which he carried on until the defeat of the Patriots
at Galla's Hill, when he fled to the United States. It would be very
natural to suppose that the office became the property of his youngeV
brother Edward, and that the latter brought the material to London"
The Western Globe, by George Brown, was printed at Toronto in
1845, but dated at London, when it was distributed by W. H. Niles
from the office at the north-east corner of Dundas and Eidout. Gordon
Brown had charge in 1845-6, before Mr. Niles was appointed agent.
The Canada Inquirer was issued in August, 1838, and the first
" Carrier's New Year's Address" was issued Jan. 1, 1841. The village
printing of 1843 was contracted for by G. H. Hackstatf, at £14, his
bond being £100. His office was then on the west side of Eidout,
north of Dundas, but far back on the building lot.
London Enquirer, Vol. 5, No. 50, bears date July 19, 1844. It
was then published by Geo. H. Hackstaff, whose office was at the
corner of Eichmond and North Streets, nearly opposite the English
Church.
The Times, in 1844, was published by H. Lemon and D. W. Hartv
the latter dying recently near Brantford, Ont. Dr. John Salter came
to London in 1835, and engaged as clerk in Lyman, Farr & Co.'s drug
store, then near the court-house. Subsequently he opened on Eidout
street; was surgeon to the London garrison during the rebellion of
1837-8 ; was burned out in the fire of 1845 ; later was editor of the
London Times under Mr. Cowley, but through all was known as the
" Patriarch of Druggists " until his death, April 13, 1881. An entry
in the records of the Council, bearing date 1847, states that Joseph
Cowley was paid £5 13s. 9d. for county advertising in the London
Times. In 1853 the Times office was in a frame building on the west
side of Talbot street, on the corner of North, or Carling street, Mr. Hart
being still editor, with Joseph Morey foreman.
The Gospel Messenger was published here in 1848 by John E.
Lavell, but shared the fate of nearly all such periodical journals
The Canadian Free Press was founded by William Sutherland
(now a resident of Ekfrid township), January 2, 1849. The prospectus
was issued December 20, 1848, and from this document is the follow-
ing extract : — " Its character, as its name implies, will be Liberal. It
will advocate those principles and measures which aim at the safe,
progress of Legislation and Government towards their true end : ' The
greatest possible good to the greatest possible number.' This, it is
assumed, can be gained only by maintaining the Provincial Constitu-
tion, which by bringing the increasing intelligence of the community
to bear upon the administration by means of their representatives, con-
stitutes Parliamentary or Eesponsible Government ; by the indepen-
dent and unfettered exercise of the elective franchise ; by an enlight-
ened system of popular education ; by securing on all political and
168 HISTORY OF THE
economical questions liberty and equality, in opposition to all exclusive
aims of parties, classes or religious denominations ; and by setting free
our commerce, enterprise and intelligence from all those obstructions
by which their development has been hitherto so long and so greatly
retarded."
The early issues were printed weekly, on sheets 26x40 inches.
The price was fifteen shillings per annum, or twelve shillings and six
pence, if paid in advance. Local news was entirely a secondary con-
sideration, and should be of marked importance to receive any notice
whatever. General political news, both Canadian and British, occupied
much space. The history of the Press since 1852, is the history of its
second proprietor from 1852 to the present time.
The editor of the Free Press, Josiah Blackburn, born at London,
England, in 1823, came to Canada in 1850 ; was connected with the
Star, of Paris, Orit., in 1851, and in 1852 purchased the Free Press
office. Shortly after, he assisted in the establishment of the Chronicle,
at Ingersoll ; in 1855 inaugurated the Daily Free Press, which he
conducted on his own party principles — then Eeform. In 1858 he
was defeated by Marcus Talbot in the contest for parliamentary honors.
In 1862 he was called to conduct the Mercury, a Government organ,
and ten years later was asked to aid in establishing the Mail, at
Toronto. In 1884 he was a member of the committee sent to Wash-
ington to report on the system of public printing. When Geo. Brown
opposed the Coalition Government, Mr. Blackburn cast off his Reform
dress and assumed that of the Conservatives, the same which the Free
Press of to-day wears.
The early years of the Free Press after it became the property of the
Blackburns are well portrayed by Harry Gorman in his newspaper
reminiscences. He says: — "My newspaper experience in London
dates back to 1853, when I engaged with Josiah Blackburn, of the
Free Press, as an apprentice. At that time the Free Press office was
in a small, one-story brick building on Talbot street, immediately in
rear of what was then the R & D. Macfie's dry goods store, now
Somerville's grocery, I believe. Its rival, the Times, occupied a frame
building on the opposite side of the street, at the corner of Carling
street, then called North street. It was edited by a Mr. Hart, and Joe
Morey, well known to old-time London journalists, was foreman.
When I entered the Free Press office the whole force consisted of Mr.
Pierson, foreman ; Jim Sisterson and Mel. Dawson (now Col. Dawson),
journeymen; and Bill Quinton, Jack Sparling and myself, apprentices.
Blackburn was editor, reporter, proof-reader, book-keeper, collector and
canvassing agent, and knows what it is to run a country newspaper
when money is scarce and roads bad. I assisted at the setting up of
the first power press used in a London printing office. It was a North-
rup stop-cylinder, with a capacity of probably 600 an hour, and a
regular corn-crusher. Prior to its erection the Free Press weekly, for
it had then only a weekly edition, was worked off on a Washington
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 169
hand press, an athletic colored man, Hayden Watters by name, manipu-
lating the lever, Sparling and I responding to the call of 'color/
flying the sheets and folding. In '54 or '5 the first daily was issued
in London from the Free Press office. I set type on it. I cannot
recall the names of all who worked on it at that particular time, but I
think the late Tom Neil was among the number, also Thomas Coffey,
and very probably Sisterson and Dawson. E. P. Roden, now a civic
officer in Toronto, was one of the early compositors on the daily Free
Press"
In October, 1851, a banquet closed the fair, and at this reunion a
toast — 'The Press, the Palladium of Liberty — was given. A Mr.
Thomson, of the Free Press, responded. He said that he regarded
agriculture as the noblest occupation of man. It was indeed a divine
injunction to " till the garden and to keep it." He referred to the
extent of the Provinces — larger than Europe — to their agricultural
capacities and great natural resources, and the place of Empire which
Canada is destined to hold among the nations of the earth. He gave
as a sentiment : — Agriculture and an Independent Press, may they
both prosper till Canada shall be celebrated for her national wealth
and her free institutions.
The editorial staff of the Free Press comprises managing director and
editor-in-chief, Josiah Blackburn ; assistant-editor, Malcolm S. Bremner ;
city editor, John S. Dewar ; night editor, Fred. T. Yealland ; agricul-
tural editor, Wm. L. Brown ; reporters, Chas. F. Winlow and George
Millar. The business department comprises Henry Mathewson, secre-
tary-treasurer : Gilbert E. Coombs, accountant ; J. C. Markle, assistant
book-keeper ; A. C. Peel, day mail clerk ; Chas. Norman, night mail-
clerk ; W. J. Blackburn, manager advertising department ; H. B.
Coombs, advertising department, arid Thomas Orr, manager of mechani-
cal department. In the news department, Alex. J. Bremner is day
foreman, and James Lindsay and P. J. Quinn, night foremen. In the
book and job departments the following named are the overseers : —
T. H. Warren (foreman), Harry Ferns, J. W. Thorpe and Charles Doe.
Charles Brown is foreman of press room ; George Taylor and Walter
Pinnell, engineers. The travellers' department comprises Samuel H.
Muirhead, Robinson J. Orr and Geo. H. Mathewson, with Frank H.
W better, collector. The lithographic department is presided over by
John A. Muirhead, with W. H. Margetts, foreman of artists' depart-
ment; Hugh E. Ashton, of transfer department; James Filby, of
press department, and H. V. Mevius, of engraving department. T. W.
Elliott is foreman of the wood engraving division ; Geo. Webster,
stock-keeper.
The Prototype. — In January, 1861, the Council passed resolutions
of thanks to the editors of the Press and Prototype, and to reporters
Siddons and Wilson, for excellent reports during the year. In 1863
the London News was included in this vote of thanks.
In February, 1870, the Prototype ceased to be a morning paper,
170 HISTORY OF THE
and was issued as an evening newspaper, under the name Herald and
Prototype. Melville D. Dawson became interested in the paper at
this time. Harry Gorman, speaking of this journal in 1861, says :—
" London had then two morning papers — in name only — the Free Press
and Prototype. Neither of them received the midnight telegraphic
reports, and, as a consequence, were little better than evening papers
published the following morning." The Herald office was burned
September 10, 1878, and much valuable property destroyed, includ-
ing the Synod journal of the English Church.
The Semi- Weekly Herald was a favorite newspaper in 1856-7, by
Elliot & Cooper, but its duration was only for a few years. The office
was then in the old Commercial block, better known as the Coote block.
The Evangelical Witness was the predecessor and contemporary
of the News with Eev. J. H. Eobinson, editor. This paper was the
organ of the New Connexion Methodists, and continued in existence
until the union. After the collapse of the News, Mr. Robinson con-
tinued the Witness at the old office on Dundas street west, about
where the Parisian Laundry now is, but eventually found the work too
heavy, and wanted to get rid of it. John Cameron, who had served
his time in the Free Press, and afterwards worked for Gemmill, in
Sarnia, came one day and asked him if he did not want some one to
take charge. It occurred to him that Cameron was the man he
wanted, and he was given charge. Mr. Eobinson's health seemed to
to get worse rather than better, and so one day he proposed to Cameron
that he should buy the establishment, paying therefor by printing the
Evangelical Witness. This arrangement was carried out, and Mr.
Cameron shortly after proposed to start a daily paper — a paper Liberal
in its tendencies, moral in its tone ; and from that time Mr. Eobinson
ceased to have any personal or practical interest in the place, although
he occasionally wrote articles for it and always hoped for its welfare.
When the Evangelical Witness was published on Dundas street east,
where Dr. Flock now lives, Miss Eobinson, John Cameron and Eobert
Fulford were the typesetters. The latter went to California, and while
there went on the stage and married a woman who is now one of the
most popular actresses of the day — Annie Pixley. On the Methodist
union of 1 874 being perfected there was no more need for the Witness.
Eev. David Savage edited it for four years before it died. Eev. Mr.
Eobinson was sent-to England about 1870 and was given the editorial
control of the two Methodist magazines in old London and the charge
of the two book concerns. As a matter of fact, he was really sent over to
endeavor to stop the union, which then seemed imminent. The N. C.
Methodists had some 8,000 members in Canada, and it was thought he
might have some influence, but when he got over there he found he
might as well try to stop the waters of Niagara. At one time he had
$11,000 of his own money sunk in the Witness before he saw a
prospect of a return, and it preyed on his mind. He feared he would
die and leave the debt a burden to his family. But friends in England
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 171
came to the rescue, advanced some money, and then he turned the
paper over to the Camerons.
The London Evening News. — This journal was issued from the
office of the Witness. Harry Gorman says : — " I assisted at the birth
of another London daily in the years before the Advertiser saw the
light. It was the Evening News, and was the predecessor of the
Advertiser. It was printed by Thos. Evans, who afterwards went to
Buffalo, and edited by Mr. Moncrieff. The News was a Liberal paper,
and did much towards securing the election of Elijah Leonard to the
Senate for the Malahide Division. By the way, my lot was nearly
always cast on the Liberal side in politics. The Free Press was an
out-and out Grit paper when I worked on it, and it was not till after I
left it that it strayed from the paths of political rectitude. The News
was soundly Liberal under Mr. MoncriefFs editorship, and later under
that of John McLean. Mr. Moncrieff, 1 believe, afterwards lapsed
into Toryism, and Mr. McLean became one of the apostles of high
protection, and helped Sir John and Tilley to frame the National
Policy tariff. Among those who were employed in the News office
were John Cameron, founder of the Advertiser ; M. G. Bremner, now
of the Free Press editorial staff ; Harry Clissold, proprietor of a print-
ing establishment in Chicago; James Mitchell, now editor and pro-
prietor of the Goderich Star ; John Hooper and his father — the ' Old
Guv./ as he was affectionately called — John McLean, the veteran
pressman, and myself. With the collapse of the News in 1863, the
office and plant with which it was printed reverted to Eev. J. H.
Robinson, who either owned it in his own right or held it as a trustee
for the New Connexion Methodist Church in Canada. The Evan-
gelical Witness, official organ of the church, was printed there, and it
became necessary to make new arrangements for its publication.
Proposals to that end were made by Eobinson to Harry Clissold and to
me, but both of us had made up our minds to go to Chicago, and the
inducements offered were not sufficient to change our intentions. Mr.
Cameron applied for the position, and his offer was accepted by Mr.
Robinson."
The Advertiser was established in 1863, and on October 27, of
that year, the first number sold was purchased by J. W. Jones, i Thos.
Ooffey, now proprietor of the Record, was one of the first workers on
this journal. He relates the story of its beginnings as follows:—
" There was a paper called the Daily News, published shortly before
that time by Thomas Evans. In the same office was also printed
the Evangelical Witness. Both this paper and the office had been for
some years the property of the New Connexion Methodist Conference.
The Daily News, after a precarious existence of a few years, succumbed
to hard times, and a large and well-equipped establishment was left
without any other means of keeping it in operation but the publication
of the weekly religious paper referred to. In the office at that time
were employed John and William Cameron, Harry Gorman, now of
172 HISTORY OF THE
the Sarnia Observer, myself and a few others. You must remember
that the American war had broken out, and was well under way then,
and a great desire seemed to take possession of the public mind to
obtain possession of every item of news pertaining to that bloody
conflict. John Cameron saw his opportunity, leased the establishment
from the Eev. J. H. Eobinson, and conceived the idea of establishing
a live evening paper. So small was this paper, that the proprietors
of a rival establishment termed it a * bantling ;' but the * bantling/
as it was called, at once succeeded in establishing itself in public
favor. So successful, indeed, was this attempt, that the managers of
a morning paper, then in existence, rushed out another evening sheet
to try and counteract the influence which the new-comer seemed so
suddenly to become possessed of. Public sentiment, however, was
unanimously on the side of the Advertiser, and in a very short space
of time the Evening Telegraph, as it was called, was forced to cease
publication. Then, when the Advertiser came out, Mr. Cameron
introduced a novelty into London in the shape of newsboys. There
were none here before that time. Day after day, and week after week,
the little evening paper became more and more engrafted in public
favor. John Cameron, young, enterprising, full of integrity and good
purpose, a model young man in every sense of the word, made it his
constant study to produce a paper that would in every way merit the
most encouraging patronage. The Advertiser at that time was printed
on a Hoe drum-cylinder press, and the power was supplied by a
stalwart African. At the start, John Cameron associated with him his
brother William, who became business manager, assisted by his father,
while John devoted his time to the management of the editorial
department. About this time, too, the able assistance of Mr. Harry
Gorman was secured for the same branch. In March, 1864, he took
a position at the case with C. D. Barr. When C. F. Colwell came in
1866, John Cameron was sole proprietor; his father paymaster; his
brother William filled minor positions ; John Hooper was foreman of
news room ; Joseph Morey of job room, while Archie Bremner, Harry
Gorman, Win. Egleton and himself were at the case. John Cameron,
it is well-known, is the prosperous manager of the Toronto Globe ; Mr.
Cameron, sen., and his son William are both dead ; Harry Gorman is.
the successful proprietor of the Sarnia Observer-, John Hooper is still
working in the city; Bill Egleton works at Toledo, O ; Archie
Bremner, considered the best paragraph writer in Canada, is assistant
editor, while Charles D. Barr, who has been so successful in building
up the Lindsay Post since he held a position at the case in this office
in 1863-4, is now editor-in-chief." Harry Gorman, in his reminis-
cences, says:— "The Advertiser's progress was always a matter of
pride to me. I was so thoroughly identified with its interests while
on its staff, that its triumphs and successes elated me as much as if
they were my own. The old feeling still lingers in my heart, and I
am pleased at being asked to contribute to its silver anniversary."
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 173
In the Victoria disaster of 1881, there were among the passengers
Chas. A. Matthews, night editor, wife and two children ; Miss Bailey,
a sister of one of the pressmen ; Wm. Wonnacott, brother of Chas.
Wonnacott, rounds collector ; a sister of Frank La wson, reporter ; Wm.
Thompson, reporter; and a young brother of Eddie Harrison, appren-
tice ; Mrs. Matthews and one child ; Miss Bailey, Miss Lawson,
Charley Gorman, one of the carriers ; Wonnacott and the lad Harrison
were among the victims. Mr. Matthews succeeded in saving one
child. William Thompson also escaped and wrote the first report of
the disaster.
The Editorial Staff is as follows :— Editor-in-Chief— Chas. D. Barr.
Managing Editor — Arch. Bremner. City Editor and Conductor Weekly
Agricultural Department, 1880 — Wm. Thompson. Telegraph and News
Editor— E. Clissold. City Reporting Staff— E. A. Hutchinson and A.
P. Fawcett. Conductor Educational Department — John Dearnessr
I. P. S. Conductor Legal Department — W. H. Bartram, barrister.
The Business Department comprises : — Lud. K. Cameron, President
and Manager. Robert D. Millar, secretary-treasurer. Wm. Magee,
accountant. Frank Adams, cashier. J. M. Symonds, collector.
George Elliott, collector. T. A. Workmen and H. C. Allison, adver-
tising agents. M. W. Cummiford, traveling agent. Weekly Sub-
scription Department — H. C. Symonds, manager. Stereotype room —
Thos. Bland, superintendent ; Henry Bartley, William Corbin. Press-
room— Jas. T. Archer, superintendent; William Bay ley, E. Johnston.
Engineer — William Neil.
John Cameron, born in Markham Township, Ont., Jan. 22, 1843,.
learned the printing trade at London in the Free Press office, and on
Oct. 27, 1863, he, with his brother William, issued the Evening
Advertiser. This venture was attended with such success that within
a few years it took a very leading place among the newspapers of the
Dominion. In December, 1882, David Mills became editor, with
William Cameron, manager. At that time John Cameron assumed
the editorial and business management of the Globe, converting this
old paper into a modern news journal and leading exponent of Liberal
ideas in "Canada. Mr. Cameron's father was a native of Argyleshire,
Scotland, and his mother a native of Ireland.
William Cameron, born in London in 1844, died in January, 1884.
He, with his brother, John Cameron, of Toronto, established the
Advertiser twenty years before death removed him from the manage-
ment of that journal.
The Huron Recorder was first issued in October, 1874, as a
journal devoted to the interests of the English Church Diocese. Rev.
H. F. Darnell was editor, and Rev. J. Hurst secretary-treasurer. This,
journal changed its title to the Western Churchman, June 6, 1877.
In August, 1875, Geo. F. Jewell was assistant editor. In 1877 Rev.
J. W. P. Smith was secretary ; Rev. W. F. Campbell treasurer, and
G. F. Jewell, advertising agent. On August 29, 1877, it ceased
publication.
-•
174 HISTORY OF THE
The Catholic Record was issued at 388 Richmond street, October
4, 1878. The salutatory of the publisher, Walter Locke, appears on
page one, followed by a letter from Bishop Walsh, approving of this
journalistic venture. A few months later the office was purchased by
"Thomas Coffey, who very soon established the Record on a firm basis,
and who has conducted this journal with marked ability down to the
present time. Rev. Fathers Northgraves (author of the " Mistakes of
Modern Infidels "), of Ingersoll, and Flannery, of St. Thomas, are the
chief editors. The present office was erected by the owner in 1882,
adjoining Weston's store on Richmond street and Pufferin Avenue.
The latter building he purchased at that time. The Record is an
eminently respectable denominational weekly paper, partaking of the
quality of a magazine. The historical and other subjects are clearly
treated, while the editorials form an excellent exposition of what
religious liberty means, and of what the welfare of Canada calls for.
The tenth anniversary of the Record drew forth from the secular
press of Western Canada many high testimonials.
The Standard, a weekly and evening journal, suspended publica-
tion after a four months' existence, March 25, 1878, the Free Press
filling the subscription roll.
The Echo is an advertising paper issued regularly.
The Farmer's Advocate, an agricultural periodical, is published at
London.
The Speaker, an afternoon newspaper, was established in 1888, and
issued from the Speaker Steam Printing House, 344 Richmond street.
On November 12th Mr. Butcher, manager of this journal, obtained
possession of the Times office material, and on the evening of that day
made an effort to assume the name of the Times and cast aside that
of the Speaker ; but one or more of his associate owners objected, and
so the old name was retained. It is now defunct.
The London Evening Times was issued from the office, 201 Dundas
street, Aug. 28, 1888, by Paul & Harris. The proprietors in their
salutatory omit much conventional phraseology, and content them-
selves with assuring the public that "the interests of the city of
London and Western Ontario it will always be our object to further in
ever manner possible,' knowing as we do that they are closely and
inseparately linked with our own. All public questions will be
•discussed fearlessly on their merits, irrespective of from what party or
person they may emanate. The news of the day, both local and from
a distance, will be presented, in crisp, readable form, and our readers
can depend upon being kept fully posted on all that transpires up to
the minute of publication." During its existence this journal more
than observed the promises made, but the fact that there was no room
for a fourth daily paper at London soon became manifest, and on Nov.
10, 1888, the last issue of the Times appeared. On Nov. 12, Manager
Butcher, of the Speaker, purchased the heading and subscription list of
the defunct Times, and no doubt believing that the name was more
COUNTY OF MIDDLES-EX. 175
popular with the reading public than that under which the Company
was formed, he undertook to place the heading The Times over the
matter prepared for the Speaker — an act which caused a small-sized
rebellion in the office. Director Gahan ordered the pressman to stop,
while Manager Butcher insisted that the Times should be published,
the upshot being that Butcher was " fired " out of the building by
Gahan, who dismissed the employe's for the night, turned off the gas
and locked the office door.
Printers' Union. — London Typographical Union, No. 133, was
chartered by the National Typographical Union, United States, Novem-
ber 22, 1869, which has since changed its name to International Typo-
graphical Union, of which London Union is still a member. The charter
members were Thomas Coffey, James Mitchell, William Evans, Henry
Durnan, Thomas Ferguson, Kobert O'Connor, H. C. Symonds. The
presidents of the Union from that period to the present day are named
as follows : — Thomas Coffey, John S. Dewar, William Hooper, Benj.
S. Gates, Thomas Bland, Thomas Orr, E. H. Yealland, J. B. Jennings,
C. H. Chatterton, Charles Sterling, G. Coghlan, A. J. Bremner, H. A.
Thompson, J. W. Thorpe, Andrew Denholm, H. D. Lee, James Dren-
nan, W. A. Clarke, Charles Doe, Ed. W. Fleming and Charles Mel-
bourne. The present secretary is Frank Plant.
Newspapers Outside of London. — The Advocate was published
by Geo. Brown in 1856-7, but ceased in the spring of 1857, when its
projectors moved away. Mr. Dell states that the first paper started
at Strathroy was by twin brothers named Johnston. The journal was
continued weekly for six months when the boys moved to Michigan,
where they studied medicine, and died at Bad Axe. Geo. E. Brown
had an interest in this journal.
The Strathroy Times and West Middlesex Advertiser was issued
in June, 1859, but ceased publication within a few months. In
October, 1869, another journal, bearing the same name, was issued by
Editor Magin. The Home Guard succeeded the Times, and continued
publication until 1865, when C. H. Mackintosh purchased the office.
The Dispatch. — Charles H. Mackintosh, son of William Mackintosh,
of Wicklow County, Ireland, was born at London, Ont, in 1843, when
his father was county engineer of Middlesex. Young Mackintosh
was the contributor to the Free Press of " Hurry Graphs ;" later
became city editor ; in 1864 was editor of the Times, of Hamilton,
and in 1865 purchased the Home Guard office and began the publica-
tion of the Dispatch, continuing until 1874. In 1873 he became
managing editor of the Chicago Journal of Commerce, and in 1874
of the Ottawa Citizen. In 1870 he founded the Parkhill Gazette,
moved to Ottawa, and in 1882 was chosen to represent that city with
Mr. Tasse. In April, 1868, he married Gertrude, daughter of T. Cook,
of Strathroy.
In October, 1874, A. Dingman resigned the principalship of the
Petrolea public schools, came to Strathroy and purchased the
12
I
176 HISTORY OF THE
from C. H. Mackintosh. Up to the close of 1873 A. Dingman had
been for many years a leading and successful teacher in the public
schools of the town of Sarnia. Under his control the paper advanced,
being enlarged in 1877 to the quarto page form, in which it is now
issued. In 1876 J. H. Mclntosh resigned his position on this paper
to take control of the Watford Advocate, but returning to Strathroy,
resumed the position of assistant editor, and is now on the staff. In
1882 Mr. Dingman was appointed to the important position of Inspec-
tor of Indian Agencies and Eevenues under the Dominion Govern-
ment, which office he yet holds. His family residence is now
Stratford, whither he moved his family in the fall of 1887. On his
acceptance of the office mentioned, Mr. A. Dingman was succeeded in
the proprietorship of the Dispatch in 1882 by his son, W. S. Dingman,
who controlled the paper, taking his brother, L. H. Dingman, into
partnership in 1886, until 1887 (with the exception of one year,
1884-5, which W. S. D's part at Port Arthur as editor and manager of
the Port Arthur Daily Sentinel), when it was sold to Kichardson
Bros. (George and Kobt. F. Richardson, the latter of whom had long
been connected with the office as foreman). W. S. and D. H. Ding-
man are now in Stratford publishing the Herald. W. S. preceded his
brother there, going in December, 1886, and having the honor of
issuing the first number of the Daily Herald, the pioneer's daily of
Stratford, on March 17, 1887. They publish both daily and weekly
editions, and the Herald deservedly enjoys the lead in Stratford.
Among the old newspaper men of Strathroy mention is made of
the following named : — W. F. Luxton, now of the Winnipeg Free
Press, former owner of the Age ; John S. Saul, former owner of the
Age, now publisher of the Daily News, Ashland, Wis. ; Hugh McColl,
former owner of the Age, now Strathroy Postmaster; A. Dingman,
former owner of the Dispatch, now Inspector of Inland Agencies ; W.
S. and L. H. Dingman, his sons, now publishers of the Stratford Daily
Herald ; E. Edwards and W. D. Wiley, who worked in the Dispatch
office, issued the Wingham Times Nov. 24, 1881, but the paper has
since passed out of their possession, and Edwards is now on a news-
paper in Winnipeg. Wiley is still a resident of Huron County. J.
H. Ward, who in years long past resided in Middlesex, is now con-
nected with the Deseret News, Salt Lake City. He is the author of
several works, such as " The Hand of Providence," " Gospel Philoso-
phy," and " Ballads of Life."
Hugh McColl, editor of the Age, writing in August, 1871, states,
that three years have passed since he assumed control of the paper.
In that time the paper was twice enlarged, and the circulation doubled.
The Review was published at Ailsa Craig, in 1867-8.
The Wardsville Post was established in 1882 by William Kay,
who continued to publish it for about a year, when it suspended.
The Ontario Teacher was conducted by Mr. McColl and Geo. W.
Ross, at Strathroy ; and the latter was at one time owner of the Age.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 177
The Glencoe Mail was issued in December, 1871, by Neil Mc-
Alpine, who sold this pioneer journal to Samuel and Lorenzo Frederick,
who continued the publication of the Mail until its sale to C. B.
Slater in April, 1873. He changed the title to The Transcript, and
sold the office to Wm. Sutherland, the founder of the London Free
Press. In 1881 Mr. Sutherland sold The Transcript to his son, A. E.
Sutherland, who in July, 1885, took his brother Robert into partner-
ship. The Transcript was not issued the last week in 1884, owing to
the fact that the office was undergoing repairs and a new press being
placed in position. The editor assured his readers that this was the
first holiday in thirteen years.
In the history of Wardsville, reference is made to the newspapers
which at one time were published there.
In 1868 E. Pinton succeeded in establishing the Lucan Enterprise
at Lucan, in a building which stood where Hodgins' livery stable now
is ; but the name of the journal has escaped even the memory of
William Porte. This paper continued for about eighteen months. In
May, 1879, F. E. Spalt established a journal here, and on September
11, that year, an entry for postage on the Enterprise appears on the
postmaster's records. In June, 1879, Mr. Spalt, of the Enterprise,
was charged by some persons at Genoa with holding his printing press
illegally. The case was presented at Ailsa Craig, but Spalt was
acquitted and allowed to take the press to Lucan. The present journal
of that name was established by W. B. Abbott, now a physician of
Pinconning, Mich. On February 7, 1883, J. W. Orme, the present
proprietor, issued No. 1 of the new series. In his salutatory he calls
the journal the North Middlesex Advertiser, although the heading is
Lucan Enterprise. J. B. Abbott was manager at this time. On
April 30 the first issue of the weekly Enterprise is recorded, when Mr.
Abbott ceased connection with the office.
The Parkhill Gazette dates back to 1870. Late in the fall of that
year, C. H. Mackintosh, of Strathroy, established an office with the
intention of issuing a weekly journal. This intention was carried out,,
but the office was leased to Wallace Graham for one year from the 1st
of November. Graham conducted the paper and office with consider-
able ability, and the business prospered well under his management,
As the year drew to a close, Mackintosh made overtures to him to buy
it, but the price demanded was not satisfactory to Graham, who at
once made arrangements to purchase the plant of an old office in
another part of the country, and removed to Parkhill, leaving Mac-
kintosh to do as he pleased with his own material. Graham continued
to publish the Gazette, which for some time was printed in Stratford,
but Mackintosh claiming that he (Graham) had no right to publish
the Gazette under that name, or retain the subscription list, and com-
menced legal proceedings. Of course the original projector of the
enterprise had no rights in the case, and the Gazette continued to be
published by Mr. Graham down to 1887, when he sold his interests to
I
178 HISTORY OF THE
the present editor, Mr. Green. In this office was the old press used by
Wm. L. Mackenzie during the troublous times of 1837-38, and which
was thrown by an excited populace into Toronto harbor. It had been
in several offices since, but at last found a lodgment at Parkhill, where
it was used down to 1887, when it was destroyed by fire. This was a
calamity in every way. The files of the Gazette as well as the vener-
able old press were given up to the flames
The Parkhill Review was established December 10, 1885, by John
Darrach. In his salutatory he says : — " It shall be our highest aim to
promote the growth of Canadian patriotism, and to aid in the develop-
ment of those true British institutions which our fathers planted here."
Geo. M. Winn, who set the first type on the Review, and continued in
the office until the fall of 1887, is now editor of the Alymer Sun.
In 1886 the prize of $30, offered by the Montreal Star for the best
poem, was won by Mrs. John H. Fairlie, of Parkhill ; her " Little
Sweethearts " taking the prize from twenty competitors.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
CHAPTEE X.
ESTABLISHMENT AND GROWTH OF SCHOOLS.
The first English school in Upper Canada — in fact, the first in the
Province outside the old French school at Sandwich and the schools
established at Bay Quinte by D'Urfe — was that presided over in May,
1786, by John Stewart, while studying for the ministry of the English
Church, at Cataraqui. About this time Jonathan Clark, a Scotchman,
opened a school in the district, where also an Irishman named Donavan
drew around him a large class of adult pupils. This Donavan spelled
his name D'Anovan, and was known in the settlement as " The Count."
At Niagara the garrison school was in full operation, and Dick Cockrell
also taught there. About this time (1791-2) Daniel A. Askins presided
over a class at Napanee, while later at Kingston Messrs. Blaney,
Irish, Michael and Myers competed with Donavan and Clark for
teachers' honors. As settlements spread westward the school in some
form appeared.
On July 12, 1819, the School Acts of former years were amended
and extended. At this time it was enacted that the Public School of
the London District should be opened, and kept at Vittoria, in the
Township of Charlotteville. John Eolph, J. B. Askin, Jas. Mitchell
and Geo. C. Salmon formed the Board of Education for London
District in 1831, and A. Mclntosh and Wm. Hands for the
Western. The School Trustees for London District were Mahlon
Burwell, John Bostwick, Joseph Eyerson, James Mitchell, John Eolph
and John Harris, with E. Chadwick, district school-master. The
Trustees for the Western District were James Baby, A. Mclntosh,
Alex. Duff, James Gordon and Charles Elliott, with Eev. William
Johnson, district school-master. In this year John Talbot presided
over St. George's School, Lot 14, Con. 6, London Township, and in
1832 opened a school on Eidout Street.
John Askin, Esq. : — Vienna, in Bayham, Oct. 7, 1833.
DEAR SIR, — As I have again commenced the arduous task of school-keeping, I
beg the favor of you to let me know to whom I should send my reports, as I intend on
the first of December next ensuing to report a six months' school. Wherefore, you
will confer a favour by advising me on the proper way to proceed, as I have been
informed that you have settled (or now reside) in the village of London. Please to
answer this by the bearer, Capt. Foster, and you will oblige.
Your obedient servant, JOHN BIGGAR.
Stephen Van Every was appointed jailer in 1827, pending the
acceptance of that position by Samuel H. Parke. He was permitted
to open a school in the old building, and there the present James
Williams, of London, attended.
•
180 HISTORY OF THE
The common school system dates back to 1841, when a bill, intro-
duced by S. B. Harrison, was passed and approved. In 1843 the
Francis Hincks amendments were adopted, and in 1846 the W. H.
Draper amendments. In 1849 J. H Cameron's bill, providing for the
establishment of schools in cities and towns, became law, and from that
period up to 1871, when the general school law was approved, it seems
to have been the object of the Legislature to cure every little defect in
the system.
A petition to Sir Charles Bagot, the Governor-General of British
North America, made February 11, 1842, represented that, owing to
the peculiar situation of several townships in the London district, " it
is inconvenient to make school district divisions in townships ex-
clusively by their own limits," and asked for legislation providing for
the division of the whole district into school divisions without regard
to township lines.
In September, 1842, J. B. Strathy, District Clerk, made a return
of the number of schools in actual operation in the London District
since Jan. 1, 1842. In Ekfrid there were 7 schools open and 5
vacant ; in Mosa, then not divided into districts, there were 4 schools
in operation; in London, then unsubdivided, there were 16 schools
open ; in Aldborough, 4 open and 2 vacant ; in Adelaide, 2 open and 7
vacant : in Lobo, 6 in operation, but the township was not districted ;
in Caradoc, 2 open and 6 vacant ; in Delaware, 2 open and 6 vacant.
It appears commissioners were appointed and met once, but owing to
the Council not having divided the township into school districts, the
officers did not organize. In Westminster there were 3 schools open
and 15 legally vacant, as the teachers never came before the Commis-
sioners to be examined. There were no returns received from
Malahide, Bayham, Yarmouth, Dorchester, Dunwich and Southwold,
The legal teachers in Adelaide in 1842-3 were : — J. Kinney, Anne
Abernethy, Eobert Campbell, Duncan McCallum and Malcolm Camp-
bell. In Ekfrid, Samuel P. Stiles, Donald Mclntyre, Kenneth Thom-
son and Hector McFarlane. In London, Henry W. Milne, James
Eutledge, James Howard, Henry Kirby, W. J. O'Mulvenny, William
Evans, Arthur D. Garden, Thomas Boyd, Wm. Webb, Kobert Wilson,
Win. Taylor, Henry Eigney, George Monaghan, Humphrey Taylor^
Thomas Stanley and Jane Summers In Mosa, Wm. Holliday, Kobert
Shearer, Finley Munroe and D. Sinclair. In Caradoc, L 0. Kearney
and Wm. Moore. In Aldborough, Arch. Currie. Donald Currie, Eobert
Mowbray and Daniel McVicker. In Westminster, Lewis M. Covert,
Adam Murray, James Aiken, Wm, Crinklaw and Edward Potts. In
Lobo, John Campbell, Donald McCrae, Wm. Munro, John Jefferson
and Harriet Eastwood. Of the two schools in Delaware, M. S. Ayres
presided over one of 35 pupils for 193 days, his pay being £9 8s. 2d.,
or about $47, out of the school fund, together with subscriptions.
Among the teachers, of what is now Middlesex, in 1842-3, who did not
receive moneys from the school fund that year, were John Eoss and
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 181
Nelson Eastwood, of Lobo ; Arthur L. Triller and Wra. Livingstone,
of Caradoc ; William McClary, Hiram Schenick, A. Dunbar, Sabina
Manning, Leonard Bisbee and Joseph Hodgson, of Westminster;
Launcelot Waller, Joseph E. Smith, Stephen J. Lancaster, Augusta
Brewster, 0. N. Donbe and Mr. Willis, of Dorchester, and John
Downer, of Adelaide. John Wilson, afterward Justice Wilson, was
General Superintendent of the District Schools in 1844, but he resign-
ing in May, 1845, and William Elliot, present County Judge, was
appointed by the Council, and held the position until its abolition
under the school law of 1850.
The first appointments of school superintendents appear to have
been made Feb. 15, 1844. They are named as follows: — John Beck-
ton, Mosa ; Daniel McFarlane, Esq., Ekfrid ; Eev. D. E. Blake, Ade-
laide ; Crowell Wilson, London ; James Campbell, Aldborough ; Alex.
Strathy, Westminster ; Ben. Springer, Delaware ; Daniel Harvey,
Yarmouth ; Duncan McKellar, Caradoc ; Wm. Veitch, Bayham ; David
Abel, Malahide ; Wm. Benson, Dunwich ; Thomas Hussey, Southwold ;
W. H. Niles, Dorchester, and Alex. Sinclair, Lobo.
In 1847 there were seven public schools in Adelaide, the teachers
of which received £190; five in Caradoc, £210; five in Delaware,
£156 ; sixteen in Dorchester, £348 ; seven in Ekfrid, £202 ; eleven in
Lobo, £472 ; five in London town, £450 ; twenty-five in London
Township, £760 ; four in Metcalfe, £120; six in Mosa, £264; seven-,
teen in Westminster, £656 ; eight in Williams, £130.
In 1847 the office of Township School Superintendent was abol-
ished, but revived in 1851, and continued until 1871.
In 1850 Edmund Sheppard was appointed Local School Superin-
tendent for North and South Dorchester on recommendation of Judge
Elliot, who was then District Superintendent. In 1850 the Board of
Public Instruction for Middlesex and Elgin was organized, with Messrs.
French, Bishop Cronyn and John Wilson, of London ; Silcox, of South-
wold, and Edmund Sheppard members.
Under the law reviving the office of Township Superintendent,
Eevs. J. Skinner, J. Gunn, W. A. Clarke, W. Sutherland, E. Flood, C.
C. Brough, J. Gordon and G. Grant, with Messrs. James Armstrong,
Geo. W. Eoss, William Taylor, Adam Murray, and few others, named
in the list of 1855-6 were appointed.
In 1852 the school population was 9,482 ; the number of schools
133 ; average attendance, 3,314 ; number of teachers, 137 ; average
salary of male teachers, $235 ; of female, $116 ; and total amount ex-
pended, $20,235. In 1862 there were 16,280 pupils, entailing a total
expenditure of $49,497 ; and, in 1872, 19,454 pupils, the expenditure
being $99,205.
The school superintendents in 1855 were Joseph Spettigue, Eev.
W. K. Sutherland, A. Campbell, Eev. James Skinner, Adam Murray,
Eevs. C. C. Brough and John Gunu, with E. P. Toothe, John Johnson
and Charles Hardie.
182 HISTORY OF THE
During the January Session of 1856 the following superintendents
of schools were appointed : — A. Campbell, Rev. Skinner, Rev. C. C.
Brough, Adam Murray, Rev. Sutherland, Rev. Wm. Ames, George
Richardson, Charles Hardie, Rev. Richard Saul and Donald Cameron.
In 1857 John Cameron, Revs. Flood and Deese, John Carey and
William McClutchey, with the ministers above named, and Messrs.
Hardie and Murray were superintendents.
From the list given in 1858, it appears that Rev. Edward Sullivan
presided over Lobo and London ; Rev. A. S. Falls, Strathroy ; Rev.
McEwen, Westminster; Robert Stevenson, of Williams East, and
John A. Scoone, Williams West. The names of Reverends Deese,.
Flood, J. Skinner, Gunn and Inglis, with Messrs. A. Campbell, D.
P. Aylesworth, R. Campbell and Charles Hardie are also given. In
1859-60 the only change made in school superintendents was the
appointment of Alexander Levie over the schools of Williams.
Among the school superintendents of 1861 were Edward Handy, of
Caradoc; Rev. N. McKinnon, of Mosa, in opposition to Rev. Gunn,
James Burns, of Westminster, and Rev. A. S. Falls of Metcalfe.
Otherwise the list of 1859-60 was unchanged.
The list of 1862 gives the following names : — Wm. Deese, Edward
Handy, Rev. R. Flood, James * Yenning, R. Campbell, sr, Rev. J.
Skinner, E. Sullivan, A. S. Falls, John Gunn, Charles Hardie, J. A.
Scoone, Rev. R. Stephenson, James Armstrong, Dr. Cowan. In 1863
Dr. Francis was appointed school superintendent of Delaware ; John
Atkinson, of Biddulph ; Wm. Fletcher, of McGillivray ; Thomas Urer
of Lobo, and John P. Du Moulin, of London. Otherwise the list of
1862 was the same.
The superintendents of 1864 were : — John A. Scoone, Rev. E.
Saunders, Ed. Handy, Dr. Francis, Rev. Debarre, Rev. W. R. Suther-
land, Rev. J. Skinner, J. P. DuMoulin, Rev. A. Stewart, Rev. J. Gunn,
Rev. W. Fletcher, C. Hardie, James Armstrong, R. Stephenson and A.
Levie.
The school superintendents in 1865 appointed were: — Reverends
A. S. Falls, E. Saunders, G. Grant, of Delaware ; L. Debarres, W. R.
Sutherland, James Skinner, Wm. Taylor, A. Stewart, Wm. Fletcher,
John Gunn, Charles Hardie, James Armstrong, James Campbell, and
Robert Stephens.
The local school superintendents appointed in January, 1866, are
named as follows :— Rev. John Gunn, Mosa; Rev. W. R. Sutherland,
Ekfnd ; James Campbell, East Williams ; Rev. Geo. Grant, Delaware ;
R. P. Toothe, and Rev. A. S. Falls, Adelaide ; Rev. Wm. Fletcher, Mc-
Gillivray ; Edward Handy, Caradoc ; Charles Hardie, Nissouri ; Wm.
Taylor, London; Dr. McCaw, West Williams ; James Armstrong,
Westminster ; Rev. T. E. Sanders, Biddulph ; Rev. E. Walker, Lobo ;
Hanson Thompson, Metcalfe ; Rev. James Gordon, North Dorchester ;
and m 1867, Rev. A. S. Falls, Rev. E. Sanders, Edward Handy, Rev.
Geo. Grant, T. D. Keffer, Rev. W. R. Sutherland, J. T. A. S. Fayett,
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 183
Wm. Taylor, Harrison Thompson, Rev. A. Stewart, Eev. W. Fletcher,
Charles Hardie, Rev. J. McLeod, Dr. McCaw and J. Armstrong.
The changes in school superintendents in 1868 were : — Rev. James
Gordon of Dorchester ; James Young, of London ; Rev. W. Fletcher,
of McGillivray and Lobo ; Dr. M. Foster, of Nissouri ; Geo. W. Ross,,
of East Williams ; and A. M. Ross, of Westminster.
The school superintendents for 1869, in the order of township, are
named as follows : — Rev. James Donaldson ; Rev. E. Sanders ; E.
Handy, Rev. Geo. Grant, Rev. James Gordon, Rev. W. R. Suther-
land ; G. W. Ross, Joseph Young, Harrison Thompson, Rev. A. Stew-
art, Dr. McKinnon, Dr. Foster, G. W. Ross, Charles Munroe, and Rev.
Geo. Simpson.
The only changes from 1869 in the list of school superintendents
for 1870 are Duncan Leitch, of Metcalfe ; Dr. McAlpin, of McGilliv-
ray, and Rev. R. Hall, of Nissouri W. The superintendents of 1869
in the other townships were re-appointed. The only changes from
1870 in the list of school superintendents for 1871 are as follows : —
J. R. Armitage, appointed for Biddulph; Rev. Mr. Davis, for Mc-
Gillivray ; and Rev. J. Pritchard, for Williams West.
The Eastern School Circuit, established under the act of February
15, 1871, by the Council in June that year, embraced Biddulph, Nis-
souri, Dorchester N., Westminster, London and Delaware. The
Western Circuit then established comprised Lobo, Caradoc, 'Ekfrid,
Mosa, Metcalfe, McGillivray, Adelaide, East and West Williams, with
Wardsville and Strathroy villages. S. P. Groat was elected inspector
for the Eastern and J. C. Glashan for the Western Circuit, each claim-
ing 77 schools. S. P. Groat, School Inspector of Division No. 2, re-
signed Dec. 1, 1874, and John Dearness was appointed temporarily,
and the same day was appointed regularly.
In the East Middlesex District, of which John Dearness reported in
June, 1874, the enrollment was 9,425, 54 male and 40 female teachers.
Westminster paid the highest salary, $520, the other townships pay-
ing $500 ; but the highest average salary, $448, was paid by Bid-
dulph. He speaks of $59,485.57, representing the expenditure for
school purposes in his district in 1877, as being $336.96 less than the
amount expended in 1876, and further states that the only teachers
presiding over the same schools, in 1878 as in 1875, were Alex.
McMillan and Kate Sproat, of Biddulph; J. A. Lyman and Flora,
McCall, of Westminster, and W. D. Eckert and A. Stock, of London
East. In his report for 1879 he points out the total expenditures
as $59,494.28 ; the total enrollment. 9,548.
Inspector J. S. Carson, of the West Middlesex School District, re-
porting in 1878, speaks harshly of the poor qualifications of Middlesex,
teachers of 1877. The 97 schools, employing 110 teachers, claimed
five teachers holding first class old county board certificates, 38 pro-
vincial and 67 the lowest legal grade. Lobo paid the highest salaries,
$400 annually to female and $575 to male teachers. There were-
184 HISTORY OF THE
43 brick school buildings and 54 frame ones. The denominational
character of the teachers shows 47 Presbyterians, 33 Methodists, 12
English Church, 10 Baptists, five Catholics and three Disciples. In
his report of June, 1879, he places the expenditure in 1878 at
$62,77*4.41, including charges to capital account, or $48,450.08, being
$5.38 per registered pupil. There were 56 provincial teachers, 47
third class, and seven old county board teachers employed, the aver-
age salary being $291 for female teachers.
Mr. Carson, reporting for the year ending December 31, 1879,
states, that the nine townships and five incorporated villages in his
division had 43 brick and 55 frame buildings ; 72 male and 40 female
teachers presiding over 8,232 pupils. The total sum paid teachers was
$41,253.39, and, for other items, $6,916.84. He complained bitterly
of the extent and obscenity of inscriptions and caricatures on the walls
of school buildings. Inspector Dearness, of East Middlesex, reported
an enrollment of 9,260 pupils, and a total expenditure of $53,643.71.
At the close of 1874 there were two of the old log school buildings in
London Township and three in Biddulph. No. 10 was replaced by a
frame house, and old 15, in London, was unused in 1879. In Biddulph
the Langford log school-house was broken up, the Atkinson log school-
house was boarded on the outside, while the Donnelly school, then
the largest log house in the county, was burned. The school law of
1871 is responsible for such improvement.
Inspector Carson reported in 1881 an enrollment of 8,248 pupils
in his district, at a cost per capita of $6.20 for the year 1880, the total
outlay being $51,155.50. Of the 99 school buildings, not one was
erected that year. There were 112 teachers, 70 males and 42 females,
presiding over 3,760 pupils, or 46 per cent, of the enrollment.
John Dearness, of Division No. 2, reported a total expenditure of
$51,790.81, of which teachers received $42,084.43. The number of
pupils enrolled was 9,228, showing a male majority of 834.
The report of Inspector Carson for 1881 gives $51,148.48 as the
amount expended for school purposes in the Western Division and the
number of schools 97. Of 7,923 pupils enrolled, only 3,619 attended
school over 100 days. There were 113 teachers employed, at an aver-
age salary for males of $429 and for females of $300.
The report on the Eastern Division by Inspector Dearness shows
an expenditure of $50,727.39. There were 63 male teachers and 27
female teachers employed, where in 1874 there were 47 male and 42
female teachers. The enrollment of 9,177 shows a male majority of
Inspector Carson, in his report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1882,
shows $53,302.94 expended in the Western School Division, or $6.70
per capita. He fails not to notice that Middlesex expended more on
schools in 1882 than any other county in Ontario, $114,622.82, of
which the sum of $85,378.71 was expended on teachers' salaries, being
#5,432.69 over the highest sum paid by any other county. In his
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
185
division 7,701 pupils were enrolled, of whom 3,603 attended, or 47
per centum. There were 51 frame and 45 brick school buildings.
Inspector Dearness shows a total expenditure of $62,184.80 in the
Eastern Division on an enrollment of 9,026. There were 57 male
teachers employed at an average salary of $384 and 54 female teachers
at $240, while the average attendance was about 47.9.
In 1883, $54,591.04 were expended on the schools of the Western
Division, of which $43,615.83 represented teachers' salaries. The
number of pupils enrolled was 7,340, or 3,837 boys and 3,503 girls.
Seventy male and 40 female teachers were employed. In this year a
new house was erected in McGillivray. In the Eastern Division the
enumeration was 8,715, 4,703 boys and 4,012 girls, and the cost of
education was $6.08 per capita. The total expenditure was $55,684 31.
Inspector Carson's report on the Western Division schools for 1884
gives $55,065.72 as total expenditure, or $7.71 per capita, based on an
enumeration of 7,145, 3,767 boys and 3.378 girls. One hundred and
eleven teachers were employed. In the Eastern Division a total
expenditure of $60,345.27 was reported. The enumeration shows
8,610 pupils, of whom 49 per cent, attended. The Western District
report for 1885 shows an expenditure of $50,949.50, or a cost per pupil
of $7.07. In Strathroy and Mosa the cost was $6.32 and $5.57
respectively. The average salary paid male teachers was $442 and
female teachers $319. The school population was 8,002, while the
average attendance was 4,073 ; Strathroy showing 478, of 800 enrolled,
attending. During the year 131 teachers were employed. In the
Eastern District the enrollment was 7,550, while the attendance was
50.44 per cent. The total expenditures amounted to $51,746 50, The
average salary paid male teachers was $447 and female teachers $308.
The highest salary paid any teacher was $600 in Nissouri. The
expenditure for 1886 in the Western. District was $68,561.74, Strath-
roy contributing $8,987.51 and Parkhill $2,588.22 of the total. There
were 122 teachers employed at an average cost of $561.98, and an
average salary of $435.40 for male teachers and $320.90 for female
teachers. The enrollment was 7,884 while the attendance was over
51 per cent. In the Eastern District the total expenditure amounted
to $58,814.55. The number of pupils enrolled was 7,644 while the
attendance was a little over one-half. The number of rural school-
buildings was 88. The average salary paid male teachers was $444
and female teachers $308. One of the events of the year worthy of
note, was the establishment of a kindergarten (the first in this part
of the Province) in London South (S. S. No. 2, Westminster).
In 1799 Mr. Strachan, afterwards Bishop Strachan, arrived from
•Scotland, with the object of taking charge of the college which
Governor Simcoe desired to establish in connection with the English
Church. Simcoe was gone, and the subject of the college slept. A
.year after, Richard Cartwright, referred to in the political history, gave
Mr. Strachan charge of the education of his four sons, with the privi-
186 IIISTOKY OF TIIK
lege of taking ten more pupils at the rate of $50 each per year. In
1803 Mr. Strachan moved to Cornwall, whither thirteen of his pupils
followed. Educational matters claimed much of his attention, and on
March 15, 1827, the University of King's College was chartered, with
nine officers, members of the Church of England. This denominational
feature was removed in 1842-3, and a Secular College established.
The Eoyal Grammar School became incorporated with the Upper
Canada College in 1829. From such beginnings spread forth the several
Collegiate Institutes which are now found in Western Ontario. Insti-
tutions for the higher education of women were begun at Sand-
wich by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart early in the fifties, and, later,
continued at London, where, still later, Hellmuth Ladies' College was
established. In the history of London City, sketches of the common
schools and higher educational institutions are given.
COUiXTY OF MIDDLESEX. 187
CHAPTER XL
HIGHWAYS, BRIDGES AND RAILROADS.
The building of a road through the district where London now
stands was ordered in 1817. The line had previously been surveyed
by Government officials, and it remained then for men to turn out and
lay down the rude " corduroy," over which the settler's cart rattled and
bumped for twenty years afterwards. The first entry in the road
register was made by John B. Askin, under an order of Session, dated
January 12, 1822. The entry shows an examination by A. A. Rapelje,
surveyor for the Townships of Walpole and Rainham, of a road from
the bank of Lake Erie, on the eastern line of Rainham Township to the
western limits of the Township of Walpole. Richard Bristol, deputy
surveyor, laid out a road January 11, 1821, from the line between lots
5 and 6 Talbot street, to the conflux of Otter Creek and Lake Erie.
On March 20, 1822, a road in the Township of Bayham was surveyed
on land granted to His Majesty by William Hatch, Thomas Neville,
&nd Nathan Gas well, residents of Bayham, then in the County of
Middlesex. On this date John Bostwick, surveyor, reported that a
road from the mouth of Kettle Creek to Talbot road, surveyed in 1821,
was impracticable, at least from Goodhue's mill to their still house,
and lie asked the magistrates to alter said road so as to run from the
mill by the house of Daniel Rapelje, and thence to the summit of the
hill, keeping along the brow across the lands of William Drake. Later
in 1822, John Saxton, of Bayham, presented the following letter to the
magistrates of Quarter Sessions : — " Whereas, James Hutcheson has
made application to me to look over the ground that Col. Burwell
surveyed from No. 16 to Big Otter Creek, and the line that Mr.
Hazen run : I do hereby certify that I find the Hazen line to be on
the best ground and easiest made a comfortable road."
In September, 1822, Samuel Smith, surveyor, recommended altera-
tion of the road on the West Branch of Kettle Creek, so as to pass
through the lands of John Mitchell, the Hamiltons, J. Warren and
Henry Reamy to the Talbot road east. In July, 1823, Surveyor Jos.
Lemon laid out a road along the Charlotte ville town line.
Peter Lossing explored a road from the front of the 3rd Conces-
sion of Norwich to Cromwell and Schooley's Mills. In September,
1824, Timothy Kilbourn examined the Proof Line in London from the
north-east corner of the 12th Concession to the mill creek crossing of
the llth Concession line. On December 3, 1824, John Saxton sur-
veyed a road in the Townships of Bayham and Malahide, from lot 7
on the oth Concession and No. 6 on the 4th to Joel Tyrrell's, via Henry
Ribble's, John Coil's and Aaron Tyrrell's. Surveyor James Carroll
laid out roads in Dereham and Norwich in 1825. Roswell Mount
I
188 HISTORY OF THE
surveyed, in March, 1826, a road nearly parallel with an allowance for
a road between the 3rd and 4th Concessions of London, one beginning
in the centre of the 4th Concession and one beginning in the eastern
limit of the road allowance between lots 8 and 9 in the 3rd Concession.
At this time there was a bridge across the North Branch.
In Nov. 1827, Surveyor Mount laid out a road commencing on the
west side of the East Branch bridge, near the south-east angle of
London Township, and also other roads in London, Carradoc and Lobo.
He reported the line of a road in Lobo impracticable by reason of its
crossing Silver Creek several times. In October, 1827, John Bostwick
examined a road from the Dereham furnace to the Talbot road, so as
to intersect that road between lots 15 and 16 in Bay ham. In Decem-
ber, 1827, a petition was presented representing the necessity of a new
road from the Commissioners' Eoad to the bridge at the forks of the
Thames. In November, 1827, Mr. Mount surveyed a road from a
point near the centre of the 3rd Concession of Lobo, beginning on
the bank of a large creek and along the bank to the front of the con-
cession.
In November, 1827, a petition to the Justices represented the
necessity of a road from Burleigh Hunt's store, on the Commissioners'
Road in Westminster, to the side-road between lots 24 and 25, on the
Thames in London, across the bridge, and over the river at Gardiner's
mill in Westminster, and again from the bridge to the Government
road at Frank's place. This was surveyed by Roswell Mount. In
December, 1827, a road was surveyed between lots 18 and 19, in
Westminster, to Watters & Lamore's mill, on the rear part of lot 18,
1st Concession. There was a road surveyed from the mill along the
south side of the pond ; also a road from Tiffany's mill in Delaware to
the north branch of Talbot road, to come out near Dingman's farm on
that road. Sylvanus Reynolds, foreman of a jury to examine the
ground donated for a Government road through the Township of Dela-
ware, declared that the route is impracticable, and asked for re-location.
In July, 1828, Surveyor John Bostwick laid out roads in the
Catfish Creek neighborhood, in Malahide and Yarmouth, while Peter
Lossing made re-surveys in Burford, Wingham and Norwich, to facilitate
travel to and from the Norwich saw and grist mill. Wm. K. Cornish
surveyed a road from the centre of Townsend Township to the Indian
lands at the mouth of Patterson's Creek. In March, 1829, a road
from the 4th Concession of London, to the Thames bridge at B. Wood-
hull's mills, in Lobo, was laid out by Roswell Mount, part of it follow-
ing the old Mill Creek Road. In April, 1829, a street was laid out by
Mr. Mount for Dr. Tiffany near his mills in Delaware village. About
this time a road from Woodhull's mill, in Lobo, to the Longwoods
Road, in Caradoc, at a point near James Craig's farm, was surveyed
by Mount.
On January 13, 1830, the Court of Quarter Sessions resolved :—
' If the members of each division of roads were to furnish for their
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 189
divisions a proper scraper for furrowing and repairing the roads (to be
kept in possession of the roadmasters for the time being), it would add
greatly to the effect of the statute labor, as well as to the ease and
comfort of the inhabitants. This might be carried into complete effect
by small subscriptions in wheat delivered to persons who would get
the scrapers made in the course of the winter, and the court strongly
recommends this measure to the adoption of the inhabitants generally.'*
The act of March 6, 1830, granted £1,100 to the London District
to be expended on roads and bridges. The Commissioners named were
Daniel McCall, Ezekiel Foster, Jacob Potts, jr., Wm. Lymburner,
Elial Martin, Thomas J. Homer, Eobert Alway, Jacob Kain, John
Hatch, Hiram D. Lee, Capt. Marvel White, Thomas McCall and Geo.
Munro.
On March 16, 1831, £2.000 were granted by Pa.rliament to the
London District to be expended on roads and bridges. The several
Commissioners were Leslie Patterson, of Dunwich ; Ewen McKinley;
of Aldborough ; George Wilson, Andrew Dobie and Isaac Draper, of
what is now Elgin ; John O'Neil and Henry Sherwick, of Westminster ;
Duncan McKenzie, Wm. Kobertson and James Parkinson, of London ;
Dudley Merrill and Linus Forbes, of London ;• Eoswell Mount, James
Craig and Singleton Gardiner, of Caradoc, Ekfrid and Mosa; Benj.
Wilson and James Neville, of St. Thomas and Port Stanley ; Finlay
Malcolm, John Kelly and Peter Sackrider, of Norwich; G. W. White-
head, Geo. Higson and Michael Stover, for road from Whitehead's, in
Burford, to the Quaker meeting-house in Norwich ; John Weir, Richard
Brawn and John Kern, for road in Burford ; John Hatch, Jacob Kern
and Hugh McDermid, of London and Oxford ; Daniel Carrol and Jas.
Ingersoll, North Oxford ; S. Huckett, P. Hayle and Wm. Reynolds, for
the Dereham furnace road ; John Phalan, L. Charles, J. Smith, Thos.
Roach, J. M. McLeod, Michael Showers, Peter Bastedo, D. Burns, H.
Graham, J. Austin, P. Beemer, R. Potts, F. Sovereen, R. Richardson,
Elijah Doan, 0. Maybee, C. Dederick, G. Culver and M. Tisdale.
On April 2, 1830, a road from the west side of Ridout street, in the
northern limit of the allowance for road north of the town plot of
London, to the Proof Line of London Township, was surveyed by Ros-
well Mount.
In April, 1831, Peter Carroll re-surveyed the road between the
llth and 12th Concession of Nissouri, extending from a point opposite
the bridge over the middle branch of the Thames. At this time a road
from the Commissioners' Road, on a line between lots 44 and 45 to
Stillman Old's tanyard, and thence to McMillan's bridge, was surveyed
by Wm. K. Cornish.
In June, 1831, the road through the long woods was altered in
Ekfrid, so as to avoid the six old fords on the Ten-mile Creek and the
two long fords on Eighteen-mile Creek. In Mosa Township the road
was changed from the bridge over Twenty -mile Creek to the old road
in front of lot 6, thus avoiding two hills and two fords.
190 HISTORY OF THE
Wharncliff road was surveyed by Peter Carroll early in 1831, but
re-surveyed on a new route in September that year by M. Burwell,
shortening the old route two and three-quarter miles, and avoiding the
hills on the old road.
In early years the Government opened a road on the survey of
B. B. Brigham, from a point between lots 22 and 23 on the first range
north of the Longwoods road in Caradoc to the town of Adelaide.
In July, 1833, Richard Brown surveyed a road from the north side
of Forbes' bridge over the Thames westward through Forbes' orchard,
Willson's house and orchard, to the south-west corner of Concession 4,
A, in the broken front, Township of London ; thence diagonally across
numbers 5 and 6, in Concession A, keeping the height of land to D.
Merrill's saw mill darn ; thence up the hill to Concession B in London.
A road was also surveyed through the 1st Concession of Westmin-
ster, south between lots 9 and 8 to the Commissioners' Road, and one
from the south side of the bridge, east along the river bank to Norton's
grist mill ; thence round the pond and across the lands of Hiram
Crawford.
In November, 1842, the Council petitioned Hamilton H. Killaly,
President of the Board of Works of the Province of Ontario, drawing
his attention to the dangerous state of the bridge over the Thames at
the stage road crossing in Delaware Township. This improvement
was asked for in view of the proposed Provincial Plank Road, which, it
was alleged, would be built along that route.
Toll Roads.— On Sept. 1,1850, £3,700 were paid to the Provincial
Government for the Port Stanley Road. In December, 1850, a lease
of tolls on the system of government roads was issued to Nov. 30,
1851, for £824. The county also purchased the Delaware bridge for
£100, and the Brantford roads for £700, the sum being payable in
ten years at five per cent.
In response to a motion by Richard Tooley and John Kearns,
made December 10, 1869, the following statement of the length in
miles, amount of income derived from tolled roads, and county rate
paid from January 1, 1852 to December 31, 1868, inclusive, was made :
TOWNSHIP. MILES. NAME OF ROAD. INCOME. COUNTY RATE.
Adelaide 6 Sarnia road $ 2,460 97 $ 58,698 76
Caradoc 6 Longwoods road 7, 282 34 71,187 80
Delaware 4 Longwoods road 4,44885 44,87114
Delaware 2 Delaware and Lobo br. road. 336 58 ...
Dorchester North.. 2§ Westminster & Dorchester rd. 1,93299 92,25455
Dorchester North . . 3 Governor's road 2,615 70
Dorchester North . . 9£ Brantford road 11, 184 14
Dorchester North . . 11 Elgin road 1,737 56
Lobo , 8 Sarnia road 12,56374 91,60696
Lobo 7 1-7 Lobo and Williams road 1,32176
Lobo 1£ Delaware and Lobo br. road.. 336 58
London 6 Sarnia road 29,32066 266,72331
London 14£ Adelaide st. & between 8 & 9. 6,96061
Carried forward $82,502 48
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 191
TOWNSHIP. MILES. NAME OF ROAD. INCOME. COUNTY RATE.
Brought forward $ 82,502 48
London 5 Governor's road 14,11869
London 5J Brantford road 14,38106
Mosa 5 Haggarty road 6,282 63 68,575 75
Nissouri West 7| Wyton road 3,54096 76,66698
Nissouri West 3 Governor's road 2,615 69
Westminster 2£ Brantford road 14,14090 195,19217
Westminster 2 Longwoods road 9,15656
Westminster 14 Port Stanley road 64,002 21
Westminster 2§ Westminster & Dorchester rd. 1,932 98
Westminster 5| Wellington bridge road 12, 525 87
Williams East 2| Lobo and Williams road 816 46 34, 706 96
$226,015 59
In addition to the sums paid the local municipalities given above,
Ekfrid paid $58,535.09; Metcalfe, $41,045.15; Williams East $27,-
583.09 ; Williams West, $24,629.89; Biddulph, 1863-68, $6,230.55 ;
McGillivray, 1863-68, $8,117.70; Strathroy, 1860-68, $9,983.56;
and Wardsville, $447.
In June, 1851, Freeman Talbot, County Engineer, reported on a road
from the Proof Line of London Township to the western boundary of
Adelaide. In view of a successful charcoal road built in Michigan
that year, the Engineer recommended a similar road for Adelaide, and
a gravel road for London and Lobo. In concluding his report, he says :
— " The whole distance through the Townships of London and Lobo is
about sixteen miles, and could be made for about £300 per mile, includ-
ing a number of new culverts and a bridge across the Medway, which
is now in a dilapidated state. Thus the work would cost £4,800, on
which three toll gates might be erected, from which the sum of £500
net might at once be collected."
The work of grading and graveling was at once entered upon, and
that year witnessed the improvement of the old Government roads
and the completion of new highways.
K. Johnson, of the Committee on County Eoads, in his report of
December 19, 1851, refers to George Cavanaugh, who purchased gate
No. 6 on the Port Stanley road ; to the building of Westminster
bridge ; to Henry Sifton, who claimed £150 damages for being denied
the privilege of taking gravel from lands adjoining a road for which
he was contractor; to I. McCutcheon, who was allowed £54 for loss
sustained through the bridge being swept away in the spring.
From a statement submitted in. November, 1852, it appears that
up to that day there were £13,776 expended on the Port Stanley
road, £5,021 on the Brantford road, £1,426 on the Delaware road, and
£161 J on the Delaware bridge, showing a total of about £20,384. Of
this sum tolls on Port Stanley road returned £4,072 ; on Brantford
road, £1,583, and on Delaware bridge, £165, leaving a debt on account
of roads of about £14,564. The Delaware road was not completed at
that date.
In December, 1853, the Finance Committee recommended the
13
192 HISTORY OF THE
issue of debentures for £11,000, payable in sums of £550 annually,
commencing in 1854 and ending in 1874. At this time the deben-
tures outstanding were £4,500, due the Provincial Government in
1860 ; debentures under By-law No. 6, maturing in 1854-5, £2,000 ;
debentures under By-law No. 10, due in 1855-7, £6,000 ; debentures
under By-law No. 22, payable in 1863, £20,000, and the debentures
proposed as above for £11.000. At this time, November, 1853, there
were £27,984 8s. 5d. expended on county roads, and £8,427 8s. 8d.
required to complete the roads then under way.
On Jan. 26, 1354, Donald Eraser, of the Committee of Public
Improvements, reported in favor of appropriating £59,039 to be
expended on roads opened in 1853, as following : — £5,000 on the
Delaware and Chatham roads ; £4,926 on Governor's road ; Welling-
ton Bridge road, £3,499 ; Elgin road, £4,158 ; Currie road, £7,225 ;
Hagarty road, £3,200 ; Adelaide road, £3,835 ; London and Sarnia
road, £4,800; Lobo and Williams road, £5,819; Westminster and
Dorchester townline, £5,097 ; Delaware, south of the gravelled road,
£5,435; London, Wyton and' St. Marys road, £6,045.
The total amount expended on toll roads in each township between
January 1, 1852, and December 31, 1868, is set forth as follows : —
Adelaide, $25,143.24; Caradoc, $47,493.19 ; Delaware, $21,315.80 ;
Dorchester N., $86,674.46 ; Ekfrid, $14,833.73 ; Lobo, 78,196.88 ;
London, $144,097.51 ; Mosa, $30,542.78 ; Nissouri W., $40,802.40 ;
Westminster, $101,327.38, and E. Williams, $8,770.03, aggregating
$599,197.40. The sum received during the sixteen years was less
than half the amount expended, so that on the face of the account
the toll road appears to have proved itself an expensive luxury, as
well as a vexatious improvement. The total sum expended on all
other roads in the county during the sixteen years amounted to
$739,458.50, of which the city granted $14,500.
The expenditure on county roads, from 1859 to 1864 inclusive,
was $49,037.87, the year 1862 claiming the greatest outlay, $11,071. 10.
The total receipts for road fund during the six years amounted to
$78,911.22, thus leaving a balance of $29,873.35. The sum of $3,011
was expended on roads, from which revenue was not derivable. From
Dec. 1, 1851, to Jan. 1, 1872, the townships expended on toll roads
$626,863.73, and on common highways $779,828.68. The first item
amounted to $654,272.19, and the second to $807,707.39, by Jan. 1,
1873. The amount expended on tolled roads, from Dec. 31, 1872, to
Jan. 1, 1878, was $92,291.90; while $27,840.67 were expended on
common highways and their bridges ; $8,180, county grants, expended
for township boundary lines; $21,014.49 for tolled-road bridges, and
$3,205 for plank and work on various county roads. From Dec. 31,
1851, to Jan. 1, 1872, the sum expended on tolled roads was $626,-
863.73; on common roads, $133,039.95; county grant to township
lines, $19,925 ; total, $779,828.68. The total revenue from toll roads,
from 1869 to 1873 inclusive, amounts to $74,199.53. The total amount
COUNTY OF MIDDLES EX. 193
of tolls received from county roads, from 1874 to 1880 inclusive, was
$99,699.71, and the expenditure for repairs, &c., $133,471.88, being
an excess of expenditure over revenue of $33,772.17.
John Levie, Chairman of a Committee appointed by the Council in
1872 on the abolition of tolls, reported on December 6, that year, as
follows : — " That the gross amount received annually at toll-gates is
$18,500; that the average annual repairs and renewals amount to
$9,000 ; that the lessees and gate-keepers receive annually $4,500 ;
that the City of London offers to abolish market fees as soon as the
county abolishes tolls." The report recommends the aboli-
tion of tolls, but under plans, which could not bring a total abolition
immediately.
A Committee appointed in 1873 to devise an equitable scheme for
the abolition of tolls upon the county roads reported, through J. Arm-
strong, March 5, 1874, that in order to abolish tolls and do justice to
the municipalities which have not received their equal share of road
moneys, the payment of debenture debt should be so apportioned to
each municipality in proportion to the amount expended by each for
road and bridge improvement, thus decreasing the amounts such town-
ships will have to pay in the future, as compared with rate of payment
in 1874. Thus the debenture debt of 1874, $517,000 (exclusive of
the amount which London City had to pay), would be apportioned
as follows :— Adelaide, $24,982.91 ; Caradoc, $44,575.31 ; Delaware,
$28,103.36; Dorchester, $60,685.28; Ekfrid, $18,661.02; London,
$101,254.95; Lobo, $53,716.80; Metcalfe, $20,092.38; Mosa. $24,074;
Nissouri, $33,565.93 ; Westminster, $78,631.23 ; East Williams,
$11,653.89; West Williams, $8,188.93 ; Strathroy, $3,271.27 ; Wards-
ville, $2,410.07; Parkhill, $569.67; Newbury, $1,563. Such pay-
ments spread over fourteen years at six per cent., the amount of
annual payments to be decided upon by the Council, and each muni-
cipality have the privilege of paying the whole or any portion of such
amount apportioned at will. This Committee also recommended that
the toll bridge at Wardsville and the toll roads of the county cease to
solicit toll after January 1, 1875. In August, 1874, a resolution of
the Council directed the Warden and Solicitor to have a bill presented
to the Ontario Legislature on the basis of the above recommendations.
At this time the London City Council agreed to abolish market fees sa
long as the county roads were free, and this agreement was ordered to
be noticed in the special bill to be presented to the Legislature. In
June, ] 875, the same chairman reported a series of amendments to the
first report.
In December, 1874, James Armstrong, John Waters and Simon
McLeod were appointed delegates to the Provincial Legislature to>
advocate the passage of a bill for adjusting the debt and abolishing
toll roads in this county. The tolls on county roads were abolished
June 7, 1881, the by-law taking effect Jan. 1, 1882. At this time
there were 21 leased toll gates and 13 hired under-keepers.
194 HISTORY OF THE
In January, 1882, a communication from Street & Becher, barris-
ters, pointed out the illegality of the by-law 352 of Sept. 26, 1881,
ordering the issue of debentures for effecting the abolition of tolls.
This letter also pointed out that should the Council carry out the
proposition to issue similar debentures, the barristers named were
authorized to bring the matter before the courts.
Tn December, 1865, the toll gates on the several roads were rented
to the following buyers : —
Gate No. 1, Dorchester Town Line, to Ralph Simpson.
2, " " " " Samuel Wilson.
4, Elgin Road, to Wm. Thompson.
1, Lobo and Williams Road, to Robert Laird.
2, " " " Wm. Grayson.
1, Wyton Road, to W. F. Howard.
3, Sarnia Road, to A. Me Arthur.
2, Longwoods Road, to M. A. Langtry.
3, T. Langtry.
1, Hagarty Road, to R. Dixon.
2, " " J. Martin.
In 1882 the gates and buildings were sold outright.
Early Bridges. — In the history of London reference is made to the
first bridges built in the county. In 1829 a bridge was built over the
Thames, in Caradoc and Delaware, on the road leading from York to
Sandwich. In January, 1830, a sum of £87 10s was still due, and
this sum the magistrates asked the Legislature to grant, as the bridge
was a provincial rather than a district work. In the spring of 1830,
£50 were granted toward building a bridge on the north branch of the
Thames, on the new road from the court-house. Statute labor was
ordered to be expended on the bridge near Dingman's Creek. From
this period forward bridges multiplied, and a few years later fording
the creeks and rivers was something that had passed away for ever.
James Cull, District Surveyor in 1843, suggested the building of
a bridge over the Thames in Ekfrid at the Tyrconnell road crossing.
He pointed out the value of a good road to Tyrconnell, as their goods
could be shipped or landed with as much convenience as at any part
of the lake, except in a harbor. In his report he refers to the Delaware
and Kil worth bridges, and states, that during the winter of 1842-3 the
ice piled up several feet above the railing of the former, and in both
cases caused serious injury. With the exception of the two broken
bridges, there was not (in May, 1843,) a bridge over the Thames-in
150 miles, the distance by river from London to Chatham.
In August, 1843, the old Delaware bridge was taken down, and
one Leynard, a contractor, Adam Douglass and John Lloyd, black-
smiths, John Breaker, Wm. Jones, John Lee and Geo. Lockyer, were
accused before Magistrate G. J. Goodhue of appropriating the iron,
and he ordered them to pay the District £15.
In January, 1854, a bridge at Lobo Station, on the G. W. R. R.,
and a large number of new roads, were recommended to be constructed.
In a communication addressed to the Council, December 3, 1887,
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 195
by F. B. Talbot, Bridge Commissioner, it is stated that the Sylvan
bridge erected in 1868 is believed to be the oldest one within the
county. He recommended the removal of the old Delaware bridge ;
also one at Wardsville, instead of the twenty-year-old structure, and
one on the county line in North Dorchester, instead of the existing
structure. The bridges leading into London, referred to in the history
of the city, are all modern, time or flood having removed the primitive
structures and their successors. From end to end of the county large
and small bridges are well constructed. The Komoka bridge was
swept away March 21, 1886, by an ice flow. In June, 1886, con-
tracts for rebuilding this bridge, one at Delaware and that at Waubuno,
was sold.
In 1883 Government engineers, under G. F. Austin, made a survey
of the Thames from Chatham to London to ascertain the practicability
of its navigation. Among other suggestions he reported in favor of a
canal from the river at Middlemiss to Lake Erie, via lona.
Railroads. — The London and Gore Eailroad Co. was incorporated
March 6, 1834, with the object of building a road from London to
Hamilton or Burlington Bay, and one to the navigable waters of the
Thames and Lake Huron. This company comprised : — Miles O'Eielly,
Edward Allan Talbot, Thomas Parke, Geo. J. Goodhue, A. N. McNab,
C. C. Ferrie, John McFarlane, Wm. Eobertson, Thomas Gibbons, L.
Lawrason, Dennis O'Brien, John Scatcherd, James Hamilton, Joseph
Cowley, Nicholas Gaffney, Joseph L. 0' Dell, John O'Neil, James
Farley, John Jennings, Harvey Shepherd, John Kent, Albert S.
O'Dell, Henry Shennick, Hiram D. Lee, Wm. B. Lee, Burley Hunt,
Nathan Griffith, Andrew Drew, Kobert Alway, Peter Carroll, Dr.
Charles Duncombe, Thomas Horner, Oliver Turner, E. A. Spalding,
Geo. W. Whitehead, Peter Bamberger, Manuel Over-field, James Mc-
Farlane, James B. Ewart, Thomas J. Horner, Joseph Greer, G. W.
Bremner, Nathan Jacobs, Charles Goulding, T. U. Howard, T. J. Jones,
James Ingersoll, John Young, John Weir, A. McDonnell, Wm. B.
Sheldon, Ebenezer Stinson, Samuel Mills, Peter Hunter Hamilton,
Abram K. Smith, Jos. Eoleston, T. Taylor, H. Carroll, C. Martin,
James Eitchie, E. Jackson, Jedediah Jackson, Welcome Yale, Luke
V. Spur, Ira Schofield, Mahlon Burwell, Andrew Miller, D. A. Mc-
Nab, Wm. Notman, M. Crooks, Oliver Tiffany, P. Burley, Geo. T.
Tiffany, Ed. Vanderlip, Wm. Case, A. Smith, and John Law.
As far back as 1837 it appears that the idea of constructing a rail-
road from the Niagara to the Detroit Eiver, passing through St. Thomas,
was entertained. A notice in the Liberal calls upon stockholders in
the " Niagara and Detroit Eivers Eailroad Company " to pay up their
first installment of 2J per cent. This is signed " John Prince, Presi-
dent; Park Farm, Sandwich, U. C." The scheme has slept for a
number of years, however, and the dreams of the ambitious settlers
along the line of the proposed road have been since carried out by
their more enterprising neighbors to the north.
196 'HISTORY OF THE
On March 29, 1845, the act incorporating the London & Gore
Railroad Co. was revived, but the name was changed to that of ' The
Great Western Railroad Go." On June 9, 1846, another act confer-
rin<* powers on a corresponding committee at London, Eng., was
pasted, and on May 30, 1849, the charter was further amended.
A branch road to Gait was authorized in August, 1850, and on April
22, 1853, an act to anglicize the name into " The Great Western Rail-
way Co." became law.
The building of a main trunk line was provided for in the act
approved August 30. 1851, and in November, 1852, further legisla-
tion to facilitate railroad building was adopted. The act to incor-
porate the Grand Trunk Railway was passed Nov. 10, 1852. This
provided for a road from Toronto to Montreal. On the same day the
Hamilton & Toronto Railroad was authorized.
The act incorporating the London & Port Sarnia Railway Co.
was assented to April 22 1853. Among the subscribers or share-
holders were a number of English capitalists, a few residents of
Hamilton, Niagara and Dundurn. The road was to be built from
the foot of Lake to intersect the Great Western Railroad at or near
London.
On December 10, 1869, the following motion, showing the attitude
of the Council toward railway companies, was proposed by S. McLeod,
and seconded by R. Tooley, " Whereas, it is contemplated by the Legis-
lature of Ontario to grant a charter to the Great Western Railroad Co.
to enable them to build an air line from Dunville to Glencoe, the pas-
sage of such an act we deem prejudicial to the commerce and agricul-
tural interest of western Canada, and extending and confirming the
present monopoly held by the Great Western and Grand Trunk Com-
panies ; also that the Warden, etc., be instructed to telegraph immedi-
ately to the county members not to support the western bill, but to
advocate the granting of a charter to an independent company.
The fusion of the Grand Trunk and Great Western Railroads was
announced April 28, 1882. In January, 1883, the work of connecting
the Great Western division and main line of the Grand Trunk between
Sarnia and Point Edward, was begun, and the new railroad depot at
Strathroy projected.
The act to incorporate the London and Port Stanley Railroad
was assented to May 23, 1853. The stockholders named were Mur-
ray Anderson, G. W. Boggs, W. D. Hale, G. R. Williams, Robt. Thom-
son, Wm. H. Higman, J. M. Batt, Boyce Thomson, Lawrence Lawra-
son, Lionel Ridout, S. S. Pomeroy, E. Jones Parke, Elijah Leonard,
Wm. Smith, S. Morrill, Freeman Talbot, Ellis W. Hyman, Thomas
C. Dixon, Alex. Anderson, Thomas Cariing, Edward Adams, Samuel
Peters, John K. Labatt, Wm. Barker, Daniel Harvey, Murdoch Mc-
Kenzie, Crowell Willson and Cyrenius D. Hall. The capital stock
was placed at £150,000.
The London & Lake Huron Railroad Co. was incorporated June
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 197
10, 1857. This act provided for a road from London to Port Franks,
at the mouth of the Aux Saubles. The incorporators were Elijah
Leonard, John Carling, David Glass, Marcus Holmes, John Birrell,
Daniel Lester, Francis Smith, James Cousins, Wm. McBride, Patrick
Y. Norris and John Wilson.
The last rail was placed on the London, Huron & Bruce Eailroad
December 11, 1875, and the road opened for traffic.
In October, 1886, the Michigan Central Eailroad Co. obtained the
the right to run their trains into London over the London & Port
Stanley Kailroad. The by-law granting a loan or bonus of $75,000 to
the London & South-eastern Kailway Co. was carried by 1,957 to 329,
a majority of 1,628, in 1887.
June 20 and 21 were the two days of 1887 devoted to the cele-
bration of the entrance of the Canadian Pacific and the Michigan
Central Kailroads to London, and in October, 1888, the extension of the
Canadian Pacific Railroad westward, between Waterloo street and the
river, was begun.
The London City Street Railway Company's franchise has been
given out gradually, and on Feb. 8, 1885, the by-law granting
privileges to the City Railway Co. for 50 years on Richmond from
York to Dundas, and thence on Dundas to Adelaide, was approved ;
Scatcherd and Meredith being the legal examiners. The road now
extends to the eastern and the northern limits.
Railroad Accidents. — In 1853-4 a number of serious accidents
marked the opening of the Great Western Railroad. Strong complaints
were made, and the system improved a little, but still the work of
railroad murder was carried on. In May, 1859, a Mrs. Rafferty was
killed near Grafton by a Grand Trunk train. Isaac Heysette, a
brakeman, was killed at Mt. Brydges, Sept. 2, 1859, while coupling
cars. Benj. Harding, son of Wm. Harding, of the City Arms Hotel,
King street, was killed near Princeton while returning from Niagara,
in September, 1861. The London & Port Stanley Railroad accident of
March 23, 1872, resulted in the death of E. Tonkin and Robert Fletcher,
engine drivers, and injury to a number of persons. The deaths on the
rail within the city of London in 1872 numbered six; the collision at
the race course resulting in the killing of three persons. The accident
of June 20, at the Adelaide Street crossing, in London, caused the
death of George Thomas. Daniel Ward's head was severed from his
body, and several men were seriously crushed. In November, 1872,
an accident on the Port Stanley Railroad, north of St. Thomas, and one
on the Grand Trunk Railroad, three miles south of Thorndale, were
recorded. William T. Brown, of London, a brakeman on a freight train,
was torn to pieces by an express train at Appin, July 18, 1873. It appears,
while engaged in cooling a journal of his train, he left his lamp on the
main track. Seeing the express coming, he reached for the lamp, was
struck instantly, and carried under the train. The railway collision at
Thamesville, Aug. 30, resulted in serious injury to fourteen persons.
198 HISTORY OF THE
Mrs. Groves and her three children; Mrs. Nichols, of London, and
Mrs. Black, of Strathroy, were among the injured. Christopher
Gardiner, a youth residing near Glencoe, was run over by a train of
seventeen flat cars in November, and his body cut into two parts.
The destruction of a passenger coach near Komoka, February 29,
1874, resulted in the incineration of nine human beings and fatal
injuries to three others. A coroner's inquisition was held at Komoka,
when witnesses related that the train, composed of the engine, three
oil-tank cars, one baggage, one second-class and one first-class cars
the last containing about fifty passengers, left London at 6.28 p. m.
When within three or four miles of Komoka, the saloon in the forward
end of the passenger car was discovered to be on fire, from the lamp
therein having fallen or having been knocked down. The conductor
hurried forward from the rear end of the car, and told the brakeman
to go over the cars and get the engine stopped, as the bell-rope did not
extend over the oil-cars, and there was no means of signalling to the
engineer. The brakeman returned and said that he could not get
over. The conductor then went himself. The brakeman had at the
first sight of the fire applied his brake, which prevented the success of
the attempts made to detach the burning car from the others. The
conductor had succeeded in reaching the engineer and stopping the
train, and by that time the train going at twenty- five miles an hour,
had made over a mile from the time the fire was discovered.
Eev. S. Hooper, of Woodstock, said : — " All pressed to get out
behind, as far as I could see ; I sprang with the rest, and was taken
with the press out the rear door. I tried to get down the steps, on the
south side of the car. They were full of people hanging on for life. I
did what I could to push them off the steps, but found it quite impos-
sible, they clung so tenaciously to the rails. Being close to the door,
I was getting suffocated with the smoke and flame, and fell down.
One leg got between the brake rod and the centre one, and was
pinioned there till the fire removed those pressing on me. The noise
of the people gasping for breath was terrible. Some were groaning on
the track, and others shrieked as they fell off. A few only fell oft' the
step, but many were pushed off or fell off the end. The flame and
smoke coming out the door was so great that no one could last long on
the platform. As soon as I could disentangle my leg, I threw myself
from the car. People were lying on every hand, and those I could
reach I assisted as I could. Only one man, that I saw, was taken off
the car^ when it stopped; the rest that were not dead got off them-
selves." The daughter of Conductor Mitchell is said to have cast her-
self out of the window, while others state that the conductor flung the
f ? T?U£ Among the dead wh°se bodies were identified were John
McKellar, of the Strathroy school; Miss Purves, of Petrolea; a son
ot Oreo. Burnham, of Strathroy; an Indian woman and her infant; J.
H Breathwick, of London, with Miss Scarcliff and Miss Harriett Dunn,
inose who received serious injuries were John Hay, a merchant of
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
Toronto ; Daniel McKellar, of Komoka ; John B. Harsden, who
resided three miles from Simcoe ; John C. Robinson, of Watford ;
Augustus Blessing, of Strathroy ; Neil McGugan, of Strathroy ; Mrs.
Crawford, wife of Samuel Crawford, agricultural implement manufac-
turer, of London ; Geo. Moncrief, Mayor of Petrolea ; Mrs. Lawrence,
of Petrolea ; Miss Martha Donaldson, of Komoka ; W. H. Murray, of
Strathroy ; Miss Mitchell, of Sarnia ; Mrs. Ryan, John Zavitz and
wife, of Lobo ; Mrs. Freeman, of Ingersoll ; Dr. Smith, of Komoka ;
Rev. Mr. Collamore, of London ; Rev. S. Hooper, of Woodstock ; two
men named Graham, of Lobo ; Arthur Orton and Messrs. Dearness
and Miller.
The railroad accident of July 25, 1874, occurred near the scene of
the train burning of March previous, at the entrance to Sifton's Cut,
about four miles east of Komoka. It appears that some malcontent
removed the rail plates, so that when the locomotive struck the loose
rails, the engine, tender, baggage, second and two first-class cars were
hurled from the track down the embankment. David Osborne, en-
gineer, was instantly killed.
Robert Scott, a drover of Lobo, was killed at Colborne street rail-
way crossing in November, 1875. In the railroad accident near
Princeton, at Goble's Swamp, Oct. 5, 1876, William Cooper, the driver,
and Andrew Irving, of London, were killed ; also G. Wright, baggage-
master, James Andrews, express man, Wm. Leggatt and Thomas Mc-
Bride, of Detroit.
In June, 1878, the body of a man was found on the track at.
Komoka. In his hat were the fragments of a letter dated " Chicago,
Wabash ave., No. 927." A report was that it was Baron Theodore
Von Jasmund, then editor of the Detroit Volksblatt, who settled in
Lambton County in 1865, and resided in the house erected by Admiral
Vidal. In October, 1879, one Crowe, a drunken cooper, leaped into
the locomotive called " The Oil King," opened the throttle wide, and
ditched the engine at the corner of Simcoe and Adelaide streets. Out
of the mass of debris, steam and fire came Crowe uninjured, proclaim-
ing " I can lick any man in Canada !" He was arrested and " made
to eat crow."
The funeral of James McGrath, his wife, his brother Matthew, and
Miss Ellen Blake, all victims of the Clandeboye accident, took place
January 6, 1881, from the Catholic Church. The excursion train from
Cayuga to London, September, 1881, came in collision with a heavy
freight near Aylmer. The engineer of the passenger train, Richard
Walmsley, his son William, Wm. Cook, of Aylmer, Hines, of Delhi,,
and an unknown man were killed. Cheesborough, engineer of the
freight, escaped.
The collision on the London, Huron & Bruce Railroad, December
20, 1882, resulted in the death of Wm. Strongman, a fireman. In
April, 1886, two men attempted to jump from trains at London,
and both were killed. One of them was Thomas Lloyd, formerly a
'
200 HISTORY OF THE
cigar maker here. The railroad accident of December 29, 1866, at
Komoka, resulted in serious injury to six persons and the destruction
of cars and locomotives. In the accident on the London & Port Stan-
ley Eailroad, July 3, 1887, Thomas Hunt and Joshua Sicily, of London,
were killed. The railroad holocaust at St. Thomas in July, 1887, re-
sulted in the burning of Mrs. J. W. Baynes and daughters Edna,
Verna and Lila ; and among others, Engineer Harry Donnelly. This
was known as the Talbot Street Baptist Excursion Train. Engineer
Burt was crushed to death between the pay car and frame of coal shed
opposite the London Grand Trunk Eailroad depot November 13, 1888.
Yet the statement is made on the authority of statistics, that more
persons meet death from falling out of windows than from railroad
Accidents.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 201
CHAPTEE XII.
AGRICULTURAL AND OTHER SOCIETIES, POPULATION, ETC.
In 1835 Governor Colborne granted to Sheriff A. Eapelje and his
successors in office a charter to hold a public fair in the town of Lon-
don three times annually, together with the right of levying tolls as
approved by the magistrates. It does not appear that such charter
rights were ever fully exercised, but fairs were held on the court-house
square and streets adjoining. In February, 1857, the Council asked
that the same privileges be transferred from the Sheriff to the Mayor,
basing their demand on the fact that London was separated from the
county politically. Preceding this move of the Council, Councilman
Barker moved, in Sept., 1848, to have a bill introduced in Parliament
to establish an annual fair at London. At this time the use of the
Town Hall was granted to the Middlesex Loan Association and the
Agricultural Society for stated meetings.
The address to Governor-General James, Earl of Elgin, by the
Council, is dated May 7, 1847. This speaks with approval of the
Earl's administration, and with indignation of the u insults committed
on the person of Your Excellency." In October, 1849, the Governor-
General was invited to visit London. To receive him, the Council
called on the following officers to order out their commands : — Edward
Matthews, Captain of Light Artillery Company ; Captain John Smith,
London Vol. Eifle Co. ; Joseph F. Eolfe, No. 1 Fire Co. ; Charles
Askew, Hook and Ladder Co. ; Sam. McBride, Juvenile Fire Co., and
Wm. Till, master of the London Band. It may be noted that in the
Mayor's invitation to the Governor, the latter's administration was
endorsed, though the phrase was opposed by Nash and'Carling.
The County Agricultural Society held the annual exhibition in
the Market House, April 22, 1851, the Council having hitherto granted
permission. On Oct. 7, the same year, a more important meeting was
held on the old grounds, east of the town, then in possession of the
Great Western Eailroad Company. The ladies' and mechanics' depart-
ments were arranged in the old Market House, as in April, thirty-six
articles being exhibited in the first-named, and eighty-six in the last-
named.
The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : — John B.
Askin, Esq., president; T. C. Dixon, Esq., 1st vice-president; Geo.
Eobson, Esq., 2nd vice-president; E. Emery, Esq., 3rd vice-president;
John Stiles, Esq., treasurer; James Farley, Esq., secretary. Commit-
tee— James Nixon, David Main, William Beattie, William Bell, West-
minster ; Eobert Eobson, William Balkwill, Christopher Walker, Wm.
Moore, George Belton, London Township ; George W. Harper, Elijah
Leonard, Wm. Barker, Eoger Smith, town of London. Mr. Askin
202 HISTORY OF THE
stated that the revenue of the year, exclusive of £100 granted by the
London Town Council, amounted to £509 16s. 5Jd., of which the sum
of £393 19s. 4d. was expended.
On Jan. 28, 1852, a committee of the Council suggested a petition
to the Legislature asking for the sale of the North Block in the town
of London, the proceeds to be expended on the purchase of lands for
agricultural purposes and for the holding of free fairs.
In September, 1853, £500 were granted by the London Council to
the Provincial Agricultural Society, on condition that the next fair be
held at London. John Scatcherd, reporting December 2, 1853, on the
question of the purchase by the county of the barrack grounds at
London, recommended the Warden to communicate with the Ordnance
Department regarding price and terms. Prior to this, in September,,
1853, Mr. Scatcherd and Mr. Parish moved that steps should be taken to
secure the Provincial Exhibition of 1854 for London. Many of those
who took an interest in the Provincial and were active members of the
association was first held in London, have passed away. The members
of the local committee at London in 1854 were J. B. A skin, President
Middlesex Agricultural Society ; Thos. C. Dixon, M. P. P. ; John
Scatcherd, Warden of Middlesex ; Marcus Holmes, Mayor ; J. B.
Strathy ; T. Locker, Warden of Elgin ; G. Alexander, President Oxford
Agricultural Society; Mr. Wm. Balkwill, London Township; Mr. John
Stiles, do. : Mr. Wm. Moore, do. ; Mr. Geo. Robson, do. ; Mr. James
Quarry, McGillivray ; Mr. Wm. Barker, city ; Mr. John Carling, do. ;
Mr. Wm. J. Fuller.
In September, 1854, the Governor-General visited London to open
the Exhibition. Arches were erected at the railroad on Richmond St.,
one at the corner of Richmond and Dundas, one at the Western
Hotel on Richmond, and one at Robinson Hall on Dundas — the same
as on the day of the opening of the G. W. R. R. Sheriff Treadwell, of
L'Original, was then President of the Provincial Association. His
predecessors back to 1846, when the first Provincial Exhibition was
established, being :— Wm. Matthie, of Brockville ; T. C.!Street, Niagara
Falls ; J. B. Marks, Kingston ; John Wettenhall, Nelson ; Sheriff
Ruttan, Cobourg ; Adam Ferguson, Waterdown ; E. W. Thomps6n, of
Toronto, 1846-7. The amount of prizes and the number of entries at
the various Provincial Exhibitions since the first inception in 1846 to
1854 are as follows : —
Toronto, 1846 $1,600 00 1,150 Niagara, 1850 . ..$5,00000 1,638
Hamilton, 1847 3,00000 1,600 Brockville, 1851. 500000 1466^
Cobourg, 1848 3,10000 1,500 Toronto, 1852 .. ..6,00000 3'048
Kingston, 1849 5,10000 1,429 Hamilton, 1853. . .640000 2820
London, 1854 $7,200 00 2,933
On that day in 1854, about 30,000 persons were present.
In February, 1859, the Legislature was asked to grant authority
to the city to erect exhibition buildings. Later the question was ear-
ned forward energetically with a view of securing the Provincial Fair
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
208
of 1860. In October, 1859, a proposition was made to the Council to
sell to the city twenty-six acres of Crown lands for £3,000. The
delegates to Kingston and other places in the matter of obtaining votes
for having the fair at London were : — Col. Askin, J. K. Brown, P. G.
Norris, T. H. Buckley, M. Keefer, Messrs. Saml. King, Black, Eisdale,
McCullough, and Moderwell. These with the delegates from Chatham
were paid $207 expenses.
In September, 1860, the sum of $750 was appropriated for the
reception of one of the Queen's sons. On Oct. 9 a great free fair was
held at London. The agreement between the Corporation and the
Board of Agriculture of Upper Canada as to exhibition grounds was
made Sept. 28, 1861. The Corporation agreed in consideration of
$4,000 to grant to the Board of Agriculture certain rights in that part
of the exhibition grounds which lies east of Wellington street and
north of Great Market street, and in the buildings then erected thereon.
The Provincial Exhibition, Crystal Palace, of London, in the
vicinity of the old barracks, may be said to have been completed in
1861, in time for the show of that year. The direct cost was $9,000,
while about $6,000 were expended on additional buildings after plans
by W. Kobinson, then City Engineer. The locality of the exhibitions,
amount of prize money and number of entries since the last exhibi-
tion of London, are given as follows : —
Cobourg, 1855 $ 9,000 00 3,077 Toronto, 1858 $10,700 00 5,572
Kingston, 1856 9,000 00 3,791 Kingston, 1859 10,800 00 4,830
Braiitford, 1857 10,00000 4,337 Hamilton, 1860. ...15.01550 7,532
London, 1861 $12,031 00 6,242
In 1865, a third Provincial Exhibition was held here. The grow-
ing popularity of the city in 1865 may be learned from the following
table, showing the cities where exhibitions were held, amount of prize
money and number of entries : —
Toronto, 1862
Kingston, 1863.
..$12,036 50 6,319
.. 11,866 00 4,756
Hamilton, 1864... $12,559 50 6,392
London, 1865 13,45400 7,221
In January, 1869, the Council applied to the authorities of London
•city for documents to secure the right of the County and of the East
Middlesex Agricultural Society to the joint use of the ground, known
as the "Exhibition Ground," north of the barracks, in accordance
with the old agreement, when the Council and Society granted a large
sum of money to aid in erecting the exhibition building.
The local committee of the Provincial Exhibition of 1869 com-
prised James Johnson, president ; Wm. McBride, secretary ; Mayor S.
H. Graydon, treasurer; E. Glackmeyer, David Hughes, W. S. Smith,
John Christie, John Campbell, Murray Anderson, T. Partridge, jr.,
City Councillors ; John Stewart, James Durand, Wm. Barker, James
M. Cousins and Wm. Saunders, all of the city. The county members
of this important committee were : — Thos. Routledge, Warden of Mid-
dlesex ; H. Anderson, Deputy-Reeve, Westminster ; R. Tooley, Reeve,
204 HISTORY OF THE
Dorchester ; H. Johnson, Reeve, Delaware ; J. Wheaton, President East
Middlesex Agricultural Society; A. Brown, Reeve, Nissouri ; A. Me-
Kellar Deputy-Reeve, Nissouri ; J. Nixon, Keeve, Metcalfe ; J. Cor-
bett Reeve, McGillivray ; R. H. O'Neil, Reeve, Biddulph ; J. Waters,
Reeve, East Williams ; S. McLeod, Reeve, West Williams ; L. Clever-
don Reeve, Adelaide ; M. McArthur, Reeve, Lobo ; R. Brown, Reeve,
Metcalfe ; H. McFarlane, Reeve, Ekfrid ; J. Watterworth, Reeve, Mosa ;
T. Northcott, Reeve, Caradoc; W. Neill, Reeve, Wardsville; J. D.
Dewan, Reeve, Strathroy.
One of the Queen's sons, known as Prince Arthur, arrived in Lon-
don Sept. 21, 1869. R. F. Matthews wrote the ode of welcome, and at
least half the people joined in the welcome. The occasion was the
opening of the exhibition. The amount of prizes offered was $14,000
and the number of entries 7,688. For comparison the following table
of prize money and entries is given : —
Toronto 1866.. ...$12,71000 6,279 Hamilton, 1868 $13,30450 6,620
Kingston, 1867 12,731 00 4,815 London, 1869 14,000 00 7,688
The latter-day exhibits of the Provincial Society are referred to in
the following table, the figures denoting prize money and number of
entries respectively : —
Toronto, 1870 $16,000 00 6,897 Ottawa, 1875 $18,000 00 7,200
Kingston, 1871 15,00000 6,682 Hamilton, 1876 18,23700 10,011
Hamilton, 1872 15,00000 7,714 London, 1877 16,32000 10,618
London, 1873 15,00000 8,920 Toronto, 1878 17,94700 11,612
Toronto, 1874 17,00000 8,662 Ottawa, 1879 ,14,95750 9,668
Hamilton, 1880, $16,994 ; 11,252.
In 1877, L. E. Shipley, of Greystead, was president, and in 1880,
J. B. Aylesworth, of Newbury.
Western Fair Association. — In 1867 the idea of a Western Fair
originated in the minds of James Johnson (Sunnyside), George G.
Magee, Richard Tooley, M. P. P., James Cousins, Henry Anderson, of
Westminster, the late Wm. McBride and John Campbell. At a joint
meeting of the City Horticultural Society and the East Middlesex Agri-
cultural Society, held on March 21, 1868, it was resolved that the two
Associations should unite for Fair purposes, and Messrs. J. M. Cousins,
Wm. McBride, John Campbell, J. Wheaton, Henry Anderson and J.
Pincombe were appointed a committee to carry the project into effect.
The first meeting of the new joint board was held on the 22nd of
April following, when the committee above-mentioned submitted a
report containing a basis of amalgamation, which was accepted. Thus
the Society was formed, the following Directors being appointed : —
James Johnson, President Horticultural Society; Geo. G. Magee,
President of the Agricultural Association ; Wm. McBride, J. Wheaton,
John Pincombe, Alex. Kerr, Henry Anderson, J. B. Lane, Thomas
Friendship, Alex. Mackenzie, George Jarvis, James Anderson, Chas.
Tuckey, W. S. Smith, Robt. Robson, R. Tooley (now M. P. P.), A.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
205-
MacArthur, J. M. Cousins, John Stewart, John Campbell, J. Durand,
John Elliott, T. Kentledge, John Moon, W. E. Vining and Mayor
Arkell. The first was held on September 29th and 30th, 1868, in the
old drill shed. Over two thousand dollars was given in prizes. It is
now one of the institutions of the Western Peninsula, and has long
since passed the Provincial in the estimation of the public. In 1870 a
very successful Fair was held, and in October, 1872, the third meeting
was opened by Governor Dufferin and his wife.
On June 12, 1874, a joint resolution of the London City Com-
mittee and the Committee of the Council provided that should the
county and the Agricultural Society of East Middlesex relinquish
their rights to the Fair Grounds, the Exhibition Committee of the City
Council would recommend the purchase of not less than thirty acres,
to be approved of by the county and the Agricultural Society, and on
which would be built suitable houses, the purchased price of grounds
and cost of buildings not to exceed the sum to be realized from the sale
of sixteen acres of the old grounds, between Wellington and Waterloo
streets, the same rights to be given the county and Agricultural Society
in the new grounds and buildings as they held (1874) in the present
grounds, but the carrying out of this proposition was deferred. In
1881 no less than $20,944 were expended on grounds and buildings,
under the direction of Thomas H. Tracy.
The year 1886, when only $8,000 was offered, was the year when
the Western Fair nearly collapsed. The sale of a portion of the old
grounds and other causes had brought matters to such a pass that it
became necessary to make strenuous efforts to save the Fair from going
under. In this emergency the London Board of Trade came to the
rescue and saved the Exhibition. Among those who assisted to put,
the Western on its new basis were A. W. Porte, J. W. Little, T.
Herbert Marsh, A. M. Smart, W. J. Keid, W. Y. Brunton, W. M.
Gartshore, W. E. Hobbs, Colonel R. Lewis, Mayor Cowan, J. D.
Sharman, and these gentlemen were heartily supported by the county
members, among whom were Colonel F. B. Leys, Geo. Douglass, Allan
Bogue, D. Mackenzie, ex-M. P. P., K. Whetter, A. J. B. Macdonald
and E. Dreaney.
A new plan of organization, originated by W. Y. Brunton, wa&
adopted, whereby all agricultural societies or other associations for the
production or manufacture of useful articles, or for the protection and
aid of those engaged in such manufactures or production, were given
representation. Each association nominated one or two members of
the Western Fair Association, according to its size, and these delegates,
meeting annually, elected the Western Fair Board. The City Council,,
however, reserved the right of appointing five members with its Mayor,,
and the East Middlesex Agricultural Society were also given control of
six directors' berths. That left twelve to be filled by the association
to make up the total number of twenty-four.
In 1887 the old Fair Grounds on Richmond street were surveyed for
•
206 HISTORY OF THE
building lots, and the Queen's Park, in No. 5 Ward transferred to the
city for exhibition purposes. In September of that year the buildings
were completed, at a cost of $60,000. The great fair opened September
20, that year. The officers for 1888 comprised the following gentle-
men : — A. W. Porte, president ; Geo. Douglass, first vice-president ;
J. W. Little, second vice-president; Donald Mackenzie, treasurer;
Messrs. Magee, Greenlees & Thomas, solicitors ; George McBroom,
Secretary ; Joseph Hook, superintendent of grounds ; Geo. F. Jewell,
F. C. A., and J. S. Dewar, auditors. The board of directors com-
prised :— A. W. Porte, Geo. Douglass, F. B. Leys, T. Herbert Marsh,
A. M. Smart, Allan Bogue, W. J. Eeid, W. H. Winnett, Thos. Connor,
Frank Shore, Geo. Taylor, W. Y. Brunton, J. W. Little, D. Mackenzie,
W. M. Gartshore, W. E. Hobbs, E. Lewis, Eichard Whetter, James
'Cowan, John Callard, A. J. B. Macdonald, Eichard Yenning, Henry
Dreaney and J. D. Sharman.
The new grounds are very attractive. The soil being sandy and
the surface undulating, the grounds are not affected even by a heavy
rain. The buildings are all new, light and commodious, and built
after the most modern style of architectural beauty. The officers of
the exhibition are painstaking and courteous, and are succeeding
admirably in the important and arduous task of making the Western
Fair a permanent and useful institution to the diversified interests of
Western Ontario, and second, of course, only to the great Industrial at
Toronto. Much of this success is attributable to the energy and skill
of the secretary, George McBroom, who is aided by an able and com-
petent directorate.
The great fair of 1887 was opened September 20th. The exhibi-
tion of 1888 was opened September 21st by the Minister of Agricul-
ture, John Carling. A comparative summary of the chief entries this
year and last will prove interesting : —
1888. 1887. ]888.
Horses .................. 547 448 Cattle ............ 285 289
Sheep .................. 319 356 Pigs .................. 132 135
Poultry . ............ 524 614 Agricultural Products .... 308 404
Horticultral .......... 1,318 2,122 Agricultural Implements. 198 202
ludian Exhibits .......... 681 Fine Arts ..... 347 227
Ladies' Work ........... 571 553
There was an increase of 1,421 entries over 1887, a fact over
which the directors had reason to rejoice. At the same time in some
ot the departments there was a falling off in the number of ex-
hibits, but this was mainly in the minor departments. The entries of
honey fell oil from seventy-nine in 1887 to twenty-four in 1888
Engines and machines fell off from twenty-two to eighteen ; stoves
Irom thirty-three to fifteen, and carriages from fifty-one to forty-five
In the fine art department the difference was more striking, the entries
this year being only 227 against 347 in 1887.
The Presidents of the Western Fair Association from 1868 to 1888
are as follows :-1868, James Johnson ; 1870, James Johnson ; 1871
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 207
Eichard Tooley ; 1872, Wm. Saunders ; 1874, James Johnson ; 1875,
John H. Griffiths; 1876, A. S. Emery; 1878, Joseph Johnson; 1879,
A. McCorarick; 1880, Geo. Douglas; 1882, John Plummer ; 1883,
John Kennedy; 1884, E. E. Eobinson; 1886, Eichard Whetter;
1887-8, Capt. A. W. Porte.
A description of the grounds and buildings is given in the sketches
•of parks in the history of London.
The Ontario Entomological Society met at London in October,
1844. E. B. Eeed, of London, was re-elected secretary and treasurer ;
James Fletcher, of Ottawa, being vice-president, and W. Saunders,
president. A medal was awarded this society for the best exhibition
of Canadian fish at the Fisheries Exhibition, England.
The Horticultural and Mechanical Association of the Town of
London was organized August 21, 1852, with Marcus Holmes, presi-
dent; George W. Harper and John Wanless, vice-presidents; John
Brown, treasurer ; John C. Meredith, secretary ; James Daniell, L.
Lawrason, Wm. Eowland, A. Lowrie, Wm. Eoss, Elijah Leonard and
Joseph Anderson, managers. On September 27, 1855, the Horticul-
tural Society held an exhibition at the City Hall. This Society gave
$2,500 in prizes in 1868; $6,000 in 1870; $8,000 in 1871, and
$10,000 in 1872. The entries increased from 2,037 in 1868 to 7,089
in 1872.
The Grange. — On June 2, 1881, the sixth anniversary of the
Patrons of Husbandry was celebrated at Port Stanley.
Farmers' Institute. — A preliminary meeting for the formation of a
Farmers' Institute for the Elding of East Middlesex was held in
January, 1886. E. Whetter, of Westminster, was appointed chair-
man, and T. Baty, secretary. The election of officers resulted as
follows : — President, F. Baty, Westminster ; vice-president, Captain
Thomas Eobson, Uderton ; secretary, W. L. Brown, London West ;
treasurer, E. Whetter, Westminster. Broad of Directors — London —
Charles Trebilcock, Grove ; E. W. Jackson, Uderton Westminster —
F. Elliot, Wilton Grove ; James Ballantine, Lambeth. Nissouri —
Joseph Wheaton, Thorndale ; E. A. Brown, Cherry Grove. Dorchester
— E. Venning, Eichard Tooley, Mossley.
W. 0. S. B. A. — The Western Ontario Stock Breeders' Association
may be said to have had its origin in the London meeting of Jan. 21,
1888, when Messrs. Farnham, Hobbs, Eobson and Bell, of London
Township ; Eobinson, McCartney, John Stoneman and W. Taylor, of
London ; Toole, Gorwell, John Geary, F. Shore, E. Gibson, T. Doug-
lass, E. Whetter, John Coughlin, Eeeve of Westminster, Ed. Charlton,
A. Kains and E Craig, were appointed a committee on organization.
F. <& G. P. S. — The Fish and Game Protective Society was organ-
ized in 1875. Among the leading members in 1882, when the seventh
annual meeting was held, were D. Niven, president; D. Skirving,
secretary; W. C. L. Gill, E. Wallace, S. turner, John Cousins, E. G.
Mercer, G. Kelly, F. T. Trebilcock, C. A. Stone, Inspector P. McCann.
14
208 HISTORY OF THE
The officers elected that year were :— President, W. C. L. Gill ; first
vice-president, Dr. Woodruff; second vice-president, Peter McCann L;
secretary, D. Skirving; executive committee, John Puddicombe C A.
Stone, Dr. Niven. W. Strong, T. H. Smallman, E. Wallace^ G - Kelley,
F. T. Trebilcock, John Cousins ; finance committee, John Puddicombe,
C. A. Stone and F. T. Trebilcock.
Population.— In 1817 the population of the old London District
was 8,907. The population of Middlesex in 1824 was 8,061—4,306
males and 3,755 females ; in 1825 the number was 8,752 ; in 1826,
9,362; in 1827, 9,837; in 1828, 10,260; in 1829, 11,103; in 1830,
11 882 The population of Aldborough in 1830 was 608 ; of Bayham,
1,458; of Blenheim, 545; of Blandford, ; of Burford, 850; of
Camden, Dawn and Zone, in Kent County, 424 ; of Caradoc, 309 ; of
Charlotteville, 1,214 ; of Chatham and Harwich, in Kent, 550 ; of Col-
chester, in Essex, 686 ; of Delaware, 73 ; Dereham, 193 ; Dorchester,
90; Dunwich, 537; Ekfrid, 115; Gosfield, 462; Howard, in Kent,
616 ; Houghton and Middleton, iu Norfolk, 307 ; Lobo, 344; London,
2,403 ; Maidstone and Eochester, in Essex, 273 ; Maiden, 1,087 ;
Malahide, 1,465 ; Mersea, in Essex, 288 ; Moore, in Lambton, ;
Mosa, 276 ; Nissouri, 452 ; Norwich, 1,264 ; Oakland, 383 ; Oxford,
206; Oxford West, 783; East, 369; North, ; Ealeigh, Kent, 523;
Eomney and Tilbury, 371 ; Sarnia, ; Sandwich, 2,201 ; Sombra,
Bothwell, ; Southwold, 1,601; Townsend, Norfolk, 1,420; Wal-
singham,424; Westminster, 1,025 ; Windham, 644; Woodhouse, 987 ;
Yarmouth, 1,545 ; Zorra, 886. The total population of London District
in 1830 was 22,803, and, of the Western, 8,711. The population of
Middlesex in 1831 was 14,073 ; in 1832, 15,293 ; in 1833, 17,819 ; in
1834, 19,697; in 1835, 21,291, in 1836, 23,790; in 1837, 24,628, and
in 1838, 24,064.
London District in 1838 comprised the townships of East and West
Oxford, Burford, Blenheim, Oakland, Nissouri, Blandford, Norwich,
Dereham, Zorra, Yarmouth, Southwold, Bayham, Malahide, Mosa, Dun-
wich, Westminster, Adelaide, Caradoc, Ekfrid, Delaware, London and
village, Aldborough, N. and S. Dorchester, Lobo, Hullett, Tucker-
smith, McGillivray, McKillop, Ellice, Downie, Williams, Stanley, N.
and S. Easthope, Biddulph, Goderich and Colborne. In this large
District were 714,601 acres uncultivated, 142.375 acres cultivated ; 157
one-story square-timber houses, 7 additional houses with fire-places \
6 two-story square-timber houses, 1,493 frame one-story houses, 163
additional with fire-places ; 280 two-story frame houses, 178 additional
with fire-places ; 10 brick or stone one-story, 7 additional with fire-
places ; 4 brick or stone two-story houses, 2 with fire-places ; 41 grist-
mills with one run of stones, 17 with more than one run ; 105 saw
mills; 10 store-houses; 80 merchants' shops; 20 stud horses for hire;
6,923 horses three years and over; 6,659 oxen four years and over;
13,066 milch cows ; 7,416 horned cattle from two to four years ; 2 gigs,
3 phaetons, and 36 pleasure wagons,— total valuation, £513,337 ; total
tax collected, £3,243.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 209
The population of the county in 1839 was 26,025; in 1840,
26,482, of whom 13,805 were males and 12,677 females ; in 1841,
27,033; in 1842 the population of London District was 30.276; in
1848, 41,986, and of London Town, 4,668.
The population of Middlesex in 1851-2 was 32,862, and of London,
7,035.
The census of 1861 shows a total population of 48,736 for the
county, made up of 25,374 males and 23,362 females, of whom 1,767
males and 1,181 females were not members of resident families.
There were 884 males and 815 females born in 1860, of whom 34
males and 39 females died that year. The population by townships,
taken from the census returns, shows a total population for the county
of 60,311, while the total above shows only 48,736, as follows : —
Township.
Adelaide
Males.
.1,315
Females.
1,196
Families.
241
Brick.
23
H<
Stone.
mses
Frame.
96
Lo*.
303
Total.
422
Caradoc
.2,350
2,072
564
15
1
203
349
568
Delaware
1,230
1,094
386
15
6
126
230
377
Dorchester North . .
Ekfrid
.2,058
,.1,334
1,969
1,240
641
407
23
12
1
283
114
309
300
616
426
Lobo
.1,854
1,702
415
60
5
170
335
570
London . .
5 002
4 664
1 389
151
24
609
794
1 578
Metcalfe
. 936
810
306
17
46
208
271
Mosa ....
1,603
1 430
410
25
155
211
391
.1,606
1,541
497
14
9
57
416
496
Strathroy Village. .
Williams East
Williams West
Westminster. . .
. 397
.1,260
.1,197
.3,252
354
1,215
1,042
3,033
110
379
342
1,074
16
32
168
14
14
53
45
43
538
18
299
308
274
117
376
365
994
London City 5,738 5,817 2,005 695 9 1,386 — 2,090
At this time there were in the county four Protestant Episcopal
church buildings, one Catholic, two Church of Scotland, four Free
Church of Scotland, six United Presbyterians, twelve Wesleyan
Methodists, four Episcopal Methodists, two of Methodist denomina-
tions, and five Baptists. In London there were nine church buildings.
The first census of Middlesex, taken since the British North-
America Act came in operation, was that of 1870-1. From this
great statistical record the following summary is made. The 7th, 8th,
9th and 10th census districts, their area in acres, occupied houses and
population, are given as follows : —
Township. Area. Houses. Males. Females-
Mosa 49,729 559 1,622 1,532
Wardsville Village 452 99 280 253
Ekfrid 54,271 504 1,704 1,489?
Metcalfe 36,720 438 1,293 1,150
Caradoc 77,905 912 2,593 2,472
Strathroy Village 2,400 558 1,675 1,557
Delaware 28,150 449 1,294 1,229
Adelaide 44,060 536 1,541 1,368
Williams W 36,876 604 1,761 1,660
Williams E 40,154 548 1,452 1,401
Lobo 49,752 612 1,726 1,748
McGillivray 64,016 796 2,429 2,22ft
210 HISTORY OF THE
,»*• .A-Sb Tor f™
39780 2 S.W5 1962
^
Population.— The population by race in 1880-1, in the Townships
of Westminster, Dorchester, London, London East (village), Petersville
(village) and Nissouri West, was as follows :— Africans, 808 ; Dutch,
375- "English, 83,288; French, 887; Germans, 8,823; Italians, 3;
Poles, 3 ; Scandinavians, 47 ; Irish, 9,239 : Scotch, 5,688 ; Swiss, 85 ;
Welsh, 289 ; various, 80 ; not given, 538.
In the Townships of Mosa, Ekfrid, Metcalfe, Caradoc, Delaware, and
the villages of Wardsville, Strathroy, Newbury, and Glencoe, there were :
Africans?74; Dutch, 276 ; English, 6,870 ; French, 204 ; Germans, 896 ;
Indians, 8,429 ; Scandinavians, 89 ; Scotch, 5,567 ; Irish, 5,283 ; Poles,
4; Swiss, 9; Welsh, 104; various, 2; not given, 759.
In the Townships of Adelaide, Williams West, Williams East,
McGillivray, Lobo, Biddulph, and the villages of Ailsa Craig, Lucan,
and Parkhill, there were in 1880-1: Africans, 47; Dutch, 194;
English, 5,965; Irish; 7,170; Scotch, 6,736; French, 48; Germans,
771 ; Italians, 4 ; Swiss, 11 ; Welsh, 258 ; and others, 35.
The population of London City, by nativity, in 1880-1, shows :
Africans, 261; Dutch, 33; English, 8,617; Irish, 6,062; Scotch,
6,543 ; Welsh, 151 ; Germans, 406 ; French, 223 ; Indians, 4 ; Italians,
30 ; Jews, 6 ; Poles, 31 ; Scandinavians, 34 ; Swiss, 3 ; Spaniards, 8 ;
and 304 of other countries or unknown.
Of the first census district, No. 167, the total population was
30,600; of the second, No. 168, 21,496; of the third, No. 169,
21,239 ; and the fourth, No. 170, London City, 19,746,— the total of
1880-1 being 93,081.
The following is the population and number of houses of London
by Wards in 1880-1* :—
Total Pop. Males. Houses. Total Pop. Males. Houses
Wardl ........ 2,126 1,084 428 Ward 5 ........ 4,499 2,214 917
" 2 ........ 2,862 1,355 545 " 6 ........ 3,560 1,702 682
" 3 ........ 3,777 1,918 733 " 7 ........ 1,723 841 306
" 4 ........ 1,199 587 222
Many changes have been made within the last eight years. The
Manitoba land craze won away several citizens, while a greater num-
ber went to the United States; but notwithstanding an extensive
emigration, the county, including London, claims as great a population
to-day. London City and its suburbs have made very rapid strides,
and appear to have more than made up for the losses in the townships
and country towns, the total population being now estimated at 35,000.
*The apparent discrepancy here and above in the total population of London, is occa-
sioned by including in one return territory not included in the other.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
211
District and County Expenditure. — The first regular account of
expenditures was presented July 17, 1818, as follows: —
James Brown 0 16 2
John Anderson 1160
Abner Owen 2176
F. Beaupre . 50
The Sheriff 75 39
Clerk of the Peace 70 10 6
Geo. Collman 2 00
Mrs Ann Bostwick 5 00
Moses Secord 5128
£ s. d.
G. C. Salmon 13 54
Mahlon Burwell 4 00
John Bostwick 5 04
Caleb Wood 4 16 0
Mahlon Burwell, am't of order. . 77 0 0
The Sheriff 4150
The Sheriff 50 66
Joseph Walker 2 98
Jacob Braumwort 1 00
Reuben Green (York) 7 10 6
Total £331 4 11
From the Auditor's statement of August 12, 1820, it appears that
the District Treasurer advanced £442 2s. Od. toward building the court-
house and jail, and £62 13s. 6d toward the general account. These
sums were ordered to be paid, and the collector urged to bring in moneys
in their hands or to be collected.
The act to consolidate the debt of Middlesex, assented to April 2o,
1860, shows that at the time outstanding debentures amounted to
$879,114, and authorized the County Council to borrow that amount.
Debentures. — The debentures issued from 1844 to 1863 are noted
as follows : —
£ s. d.
1844 3,383 15 6 due
1850 1,500 0 0
1850 990 8 0£
1850 2,500 0 0
1851 25,000 0 0
1852 3,000 0 0
When the late treasurer, Adam Murray, took possession of the
office in October, 1857, the total debenture debt was £233,348 11s. 8d.
m 1845
1851
1851
1873
1853.. ..
£
. 15 325
s.
0
d.
0
due in 1863
1853.. ..
. . 1,500
0
0
" 1854
1854
61,583
6
8
by-law 36
1854*...
1855..
. . 3,355
. 25.000
0
0
0
0
due in 1863
«
1861 $12,000 00
1860 76,000 00
1859t $13,692 00
1859J 20,000 00
1860 25,000 00
The expenditures of the county in 1885 amounted to $139,160.92 ;
in 1886, $129,124.06, and in 1887, $149,61545. To place on record
the sources of income and the several calls upon such income, the
following statement for 1887 is given : —
RECEIPTS.
Balance from last audit $ 2,610 03
County Rates 77,124 15
Non-resident Land Tax .... 3,974 90
Debentures 20,000 00
Premium on Debentures 1,000 00
Interest 853 14
* In connection with payment of part of these debentures, a sum of £2,500 was credited
erroneously as paid.
t To procure seed for supplying to farmers, owing to failure of crops.
* For bridge building.
212 HISTORY OF THE
RECEIPTS — (CONTINUED).
County Grants to Public Schools 5,221 00
Legislative Grants to Public Schools 6,731 00
Surplus Fees from Registry Offices 1,000 89
Auctioneer's and Peddler Licenses 566 00
Interest on Hospital Trust Fund 454 47
House of Refuge and Industrial Farm 1,367 79
City of London re Debt on London East 1, 170 00
Treasurer County of Oxford 38 35
Redemption Money
Miscellaneous Items 96 90
Bills Payable 4,00000
Administration of Justice from City of London 6,474 52
Government 6,148 07
Division Court Jurors' Payment Fund 114 86
Sessions, County and Assize Courts Payment Fund 193 50
Fines from Magistrates . . 209 50
Costs from Police Magistrates and Justices of the Peace 151 10
Fines from Police Magistrates re Scott Act 10,094 12
DISBURSEMENTS.
Roads and Bridges ! . $21,654 11
Salaries and Municipal Government Expense 5,750 90
Percentage to Sub Treasurers 161 96
School Inspectors' Salaries 1,008 75
Legislative Grants to Public Schools 6,731 00
Municipal Grants to Schools 7,950 68
Educational and Incidental Expenses 1,423 03
Printing and Advertising 448 03
Registry Offices 211 50
Grants to Insane and Destitute 1,040 00
Wild Land Tax and Redemption Money 3,790 17
House of Refuge and Industrial Farm 6,355 08
Debentures Redeemed 20,000 00
Coupons Redeemed 29,360 00
Court House and Jail Expense Account and Repairs 4,308 86
Jail Officials' Salaries 3,730 45
Constables 2,60909
Crown Witnesses and and Jury Services 1,918 75
Division Courts Jury Fund 124 00
Coroner's Orders '.','.'.. 209 40
Administration of Justice General . . 6,436 20
Jurors' Payment Fund 3 373 30
Bills Payable \\' 10,'oOO 00
Paid to order of License Commissioner re Scott Act 5,250 00
Salary of Police Magistrate 450 00
Hospital Expense 2 326 80
I?*61** 55 51
Miscellaneous Items 2 457 58
Agricultural and Other Statistics. — The number of acres cleared
in 1887 was 514,563; of woodland, 229,355, and of swamp, marsh or
waste land, 13,639. Of the total occupied area (757,557 acres) there
were 9,302 belonging to non-residents, and 748,255 to resident owners.
In 1887 there were 165,443 acres of cleared lands devoted to pastur-
age the number of acres in every thousand acres cleared being
The county held third place in Ontario in the average per
thousand acres cleared, and first place when the large area is considered
The orchards and gardens of Middlesex in 1883 claimed an area of
9,309 acres.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
213
CHAPTER XIII.
LONDON CITY.
Prior to 1792-3 the history of the country bordering on the forks
of the La Tranchee, or Thames, is that which belongs to the Indian
settlements of a century ago in the Erie Peninsula. The discovery of
Indian remains near Blackfriars' bridge some years ago is one of the few
evidences of Indian occupation which modern times have brought to
light. During the winter of the years named, Governor Simcoe with
his staff and Chief Brandt camped here. His object was to select a
site for the capital of Upper Canada, which, while convenient, would
not be exposed to American assaults. Dorchester, their Governor-
General, favored Kingston ; but Simcoe labored under the impression
that his imaginary city, Georgina-upon-Thames, would be the capital.
And here the Anglicizing Governor planned his great seat of Govern-
ment, February 13, 1793, then pushed forward to Detroit, but return-
ing to the Forks March 2, doubly determined to build his city here.
In 1796 he was transferred to the West Indies, and his dreams were
left to unofficial unaided enterprise to be made real.
In Littlehales' diary, under date March 2, 1793, being the second
visit of that officer to the site of the present city of London, the fol-
lowing entry occurs : — " Struck the Thames on one end of a low, flat
island. The rapidity of the current is so. great as to have formed a
channel through the mainland (being a peninsula), and formed this
island. We walked over a rich meadow, and at its extremity reached
the forks of the river. The Governor wished to examine this situation
and its environs, and we therefore stopped here a day. He judged it
to be a situation eminently calculated for the Metropolis of -all Canada.
Among many other essentials it possesses the following advantages : —
Command of territory, internal situation, central position, facility of
water communication up and down the Thames, superior navigation
for boats to near its source, and for small craft probably to the Morav-
ian settlement ; to the northward by a small portage flowing into Lake
Huron ; to the southeast by a carrying place into Lake Ontario and
the River St. Lawrence; the soil luxuriously fertile, and the land
capable of being easily cleared and soon put into a state of agriculture ;
a pinery upon an adjacent high knoll, and others on the height, well
calculated for the erection of public buildings ; and a climate not inferior
to any part of Canada."
The Thames River at the forks presents many interesting features,
alike as regards its physical relations and its connections with the
early settlement and military occupation of the country. That the
stream has undergone some very great changes, even since 1793,
scarcely admits of doubt; for, in a few places, the ear- marks of expan-
214 AlSTORY OF TIIK
sions, now dried up, are visible, and of the numerous large creeks-
which swelled its waters, and made it navigable for eighty leagues in
1794, few exist to-day. The existence of this river, and the position
of its forks — almost equidistant from Lakes Huron and Erie — render
the climate of the district much more pleasant, if not healthier, than
that of lake towns. Even in face of the fact that the river is used as-
the receptacle of the city's sewerage, the cross-country lake breezes,
and the breezes generated in its own valley, are decidedly invigorating.
A sail down to Springbank and back on steamer, yacht or row-boat
forms a pleasant and healthful pastime for the citizens; and so
generally availed of, that the memories of the tragedy of 1881 seem to-
be sleeping in presence of the fascinating influence of the river ride.
In such a country as Littlehales describes, at the head of that
river on which Simcoe's British navy was to float, a few unpretentious,
hard-working, fearless men settled in 1826. Peter McGregor, a
Highland Scot, who, while keeping a hotel down the river, married
Lavinia, daughter of Joseph Poole, of Westminster, and then deter-
mined to settle in the new town of London, made the first clearing in
the fall of 1826, and built the first cabin here. Patrick McManus and
Charles Henry, two Irishmen, erected a board cabin soon after ; then
came Abram Carroll, who built and kept the first house of entertain-
ment to which the name could be given ; next, John Yerex, Levi
Myrick (or Merrick), and Dennis O'Brien, and Georgina-upon-Thames
assumed the shape of a settlement, thirty years after the first guber-
natorial dreamer left Ontario for ever.
It was a fit introduction to the people who were to make out of
the wilderness spot a city. As the visitor walked lazily along the
Indian trails, listening to the murmur of the river or the rush of the
wind through the olden pines, or watched the mist as it hung in twi-
light curtains about the groves, it required but little imagination to
trace a long cavalcade of romance, chivalry and heroism proceeding
from this very spot in the days of Indian power. He, too, may muse
upon the genii which once haunted the forests of the past, and a
gloom, like superstitious dread, will only be dissipated when the past
vanishes and the present rises before him in all its cultivated beauty
and magnificence. We can envy the pioneers of this district and the
long-ago primitive times. Then a single piece of calico would make
the best dress for every woman in the place. The dry goods side of
O'Brien's store could be carried off in a wheelbarrow, and the grocery
department in a wagon. The staple articles were whiskey, flour, pork
and beans. If with a dozen barrels of whiskey came two or three of
flour, the question was : " What the deuce is to be done with the
There was at that time plenty of large game and fish, and
wild fruits in season; but the hardships of pioneer life were serious
indeed, and the monotony so unbearable, that many who came to carve
out homes in the wilderness returned to enjoy penury in a civilized
state rather than remain. Many, however, established themselves
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 215-
here and began the work of fashioning a city out of the forests — a
village which should, some day, be regarded as a city, altogether lovely
and promising, the one among a thousand to enlist active enterprise,
where virtue would be treasured and promoted, and labor fairly
rewarded.
The Beverlys established a ferry in 1818 below the Forks, or
Applegarth's, later Nixon's Flats, and later West London. The
Beverlys suffered terribly from fever and ague, so that travellers had
often to wait for hours until some of. the family would cease shaking,
to ferry them across. The pioneers soon got on the true track of this
aguish tribe, and when going to Gardner's mill for grist, or to Samuel
Jarvis' distillery for whiskey, they would not return until the afternoon
of the following day, as they calculated by that time the chills would
cease and the boatmen be ready to take the paddle. About this time
the Montagues established their canoe ferry at the Townsend Landing,,
near the present Woodland Cemetery.
In 1826 Colonel M. Burwell, with Freeman Talbot and Benjamin
Springer, chain-bearers, surveyed the town site. Any person who-
promised to pay $32 for the patent, and built a shanty 18x24, was
entitled to a large lot, the transfer being freely made by Colonel Thos.
Talbot when the patent was issued. The limits of the first survey
were : — Wellington street on the east ; North street, now Calling, on
the north ; the River Thames on the south and west. The lots were
numbered from Wellington street west.
In June, 1827, Robert Carfrae entered the settlement, crossing
from Westminster by a bridge erected in 1826 by Levi Merrick at the
foot of York street. His memories of the village of 62 years ago-
point out two taverns and the court-house as the three buildings form-
ing the nucleus of the village. John Yerex, a brother of Andrew, was
engaged in building his hewn-log house on the north-west corner of
York and Ridout streets, where the old malt house stands, and in that
building was born the first native of London village, Nathaniel Yerex,
In the fall of 1826 Andrew Yerex followed his brother hither. He
found McGregor's log shanty tavern at the corner of King and Ridout
streets,* where the McFarlane Hotel, now kept by Alonzo Hall, is.
Abram Carroll's log house stood on the north side of Dundas, two or
three lots east of Ridout, where in the fall of 1827 he put up a frame
house. Dennis O'Brien, to whom he gives the title "a jolly, good
fellow," was digging up stumps and preparing to build close to where
was afterwards built the Robinson Hall. Patrick McManus — then
called McManners, owing to the way this plebeian pronounced .his
name — and Charles Henry carried on business in a shed or small
frame house erected on the lot south of the south-east corner of Ridout
and Dundas, opposite the present Registry Office. The court-house^
a semi-frame, hewn-log house, stood nearer the corner than the present
*Qeo. J. Goodhue maintained until his death that McGregor's tavern stood on Talbot,.
between York and King streets ; but all the other early settlers place it as written above.
216 HISTORY OF THE
building until 1829, when it was placed on runners and moved by
oxen to the south-west corner of the present grounds, where it stands
to-day. McGregor, being jailer, was accustomed to take the well-con-
ducted prisoners across the street to his tavern, and it is related by
Mr. Williams, Oliver McClary and others, that hungry travellers often
had to wait for their meals until McGregor's notorious guests had
finished theirs. As has been said, Dennis O'Brien was preparing to
build in 1826, but the log structure which he erected was used rather
•as a store-house than a store-room. This building stood on lot 18, on
the south side of Dundas, almost opposite, but a point east of Abram
Carroll's dwelling. In 1827 or 1828 he took possession of a vacated
blacksmith's shop, placed rough boards on barrels to form a counter,
and there opened the first general store. The log house, which he had
previously occupied and used as a store-room, was minus chinking, and
through the crevices the curious settlers would spend hours observing
his stock of frying-pans, griddles, spiders, baking-kettles, tinware, and
a thousand other articles which make the visitor to the country store
•covet the whole stock.
Samuel Laughton migrated to Canada in 1827 with his wife. He
received a grant of a lot on Bathurst street, near the present depot, on
condition that he would establish a blacksmith shop ; moved shortly
after to a farm in the township on a lot where John Robson settled in
the fall of 1820, and twenty years later moved to Metcalfe. He
ironed the first wagon ever used in London Township. Selling his lot
for SI 6 worth of iron he moved into the wilderness. While it cannot
be stated that O'Brien moved this shop from Bathurst to Dundas
street, it cannot be denied that this was the only building standing in
1827 which was vacated by a blacksmith. Dennis O'Brien continued
in business here until 1848-9, when he retired. Eobert Summers
states that about the time Goodhue opened his store, he said to O'Brien,
" You are going to set up a general store in opposition to Goodhue."
'Not at all," said O'Brien, "I'm going to set up an imposition upon
him,^as he has been imposing on the people, and I'm going to impose on
him." George J. Goodhue closed out his little store in Westminster,
Concession 1 (kept in Joshua Applegarth's old log-house), two miles
south of the present city, in 1829, and moved into O'Brien's settle-
ment, where he opened a large general store and went into fair
competition with O'Brien, who, for over two years, monopolized the
trade north of the river.
Dennis O'Brien, who was a peddler for some years before he estab-
lished his store at London, carrying a pack throughout the district, like
Patrick McManus, Charles Henry, M. McLoughlin and other early
settlers, married Jane Shotwell about 1834. She was the daughter of
Abram ShotweU and Sylvia Sumner, all early settlers of Westminster.
Her sister Nancy married Alvaro Ladd, while Polly married David
Golf. O'Brien himself was liberal and enterprising, and sometimes
merry, as related in other pages. He had built for himself the first
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
217
large brick store-house in London, had the Blackfriars' grist mill
erected, and also a distillery in Westminster. In later years he told
his particular friends that this distillery was the cause of his ruin. He
died at old Mr. Blinn's house about the year 1863. Under date Jan.
12, 1849, Dennis O'Brien advertised the fact that he retired from
business, and asked that all accounts should be settled up at his office
in Mr. McKittrick's.
Levi Merrick built York street bridge in 1826-7. One of the
workmen stole from another workman an axe one night and fled ; but
he was pursued, and caught in the pine woods. That night he was
chained to a stump on King street. A jury was sworn who sentenced
him to leave town in a few minutes or be whipped.
Kissick (or Cassock) and O'Rell (or O'Dell) were the first tailors ;
but which of them came first cannot now be determined.
John Jennings, who established a little store at London, was also
an Irishman, and for some time before his settlement here was a
popular peddler. He could write his name only, but possessed much
natural intelligence, and was very impulsive. He married a Miss
Algoe, a daughter of the pioneer family on the Longwoods road below
Delaware. He was not very fortunate in business, traded his store
for a farm in Westminster, and later kept livery stable at London.
His eldest son Frank went to Detroit in his youth, and established a
large livery stable there.
Douglas & Warren, general merchants, failed about 1843. William
Murray was book-keeper; Alex. S. Armstrong, John Douglas and
Francis Warren formed the firm. Their store stood two or three houses
east of Robinson Hall.
Ephraim Ayres established a shoe shop where the City Hotel now
stands, arid later established a drinking saloon here. Wm. Balkwill
later built a new house on the site, and for some years carried it on
as a hotel, one of his bartenders being Wm. Gordon, now a resident
of London. Balkwill sold to N. Smith, who failed after building the
brick hotel.
On Aug. 9, 1827, Patrick McManus, a peddler, of London, was fined
one shilling for assaulting Tillery Hubbard ; and Benj. Lockwood, of
Caradoc, for extorting unlawful fees from Joseph Elliott,
The village then consisted of thirty-three families, representing one
hundred and thirty-three souls. Goodhue built the first two-story
frame house in the place, unless we consider the store-room of O'Brien
a frame, for it was a board concern, or Carroll's frame cottage, all the
rest being made of logs and mud. His store was situated near the
corner of Eidout and Carling streets, where the Agricultural Mutual
building stood. Robert Summers, with the Griffiths and others from
Westminster, came to aid in raising this large frame. When it was
ready for dedication, Byash Taylor cast a black bottle of whisky from
the top, which struck the old logs, but escaped breaking.
In October, 1830, John Jennings opened a store on Ridout, near
218 HISTORY OF THE
King street, on the northeast corner. Early in the winter of 1831-2,
John Scatcherd opened his store on lot 18, north side of Duridas, almost
opposite O'Brien's; he establishing the first regular hardware store at
London ; and about this time Thomas Gibbins opened his store opposite
the court-house on Kidout. Trade was very brisk, the merchants pros-
perous, population rapidly increased, and around this little nucleus a
flourishing market grew. The business centre was the point now occu-
pied by the Eoyal Exchange building. The region south of that was a.
deep morass, a place to be avoided by all but the sporting men of the
period, who visited that section as far as the river on duck shooting
excursions. The site of the old Robinson Hall was then a deep and
treacherous bog, which was considered a very dangerous spot for any
one to approach ; but later logs were placed there, which were ultimately
covered, and in later days, when the era of sewer building was intro-
duced, some hard work was experienced in cutting those old hardwood
timbers. Outside the business centre of that day were many black
ash swamps. The foundation of that building was made after much
labor. The natural surface of the soil is known to be at least two feet
below the cellar floor, or about twelve feet below the level of Dundas
street. In the year we are speaking of (1829), Wm. Hale was driving
a yoke of oxen, with cart, near the spot, and the animals, becoming
frightened and uncontrollable, plunged into this mire, and oxen and
cart in a moment sunk down deep. Goodhue was fond of relating an
anecdote of himself in connection with this place. He was riding on
horseback, with a bag of flour or corn thrown across the horse's neck,
and for the moment unmindful of his progress, he allowed the animal
to walk into the pit. He saved himself by springing from the horse's
back on to terra firma. The horse was got out after a great deal of
difficulty, but not so the bag of corn.
The little village was for some years centered around the court-
house, its boundaries being Wellington street on the east, the river on
the west, Carling street on the north, and York street on the south; but
these limits rapidly widened. A deed in the possession of Sheriff
Glass shows that in 1831 his father sold several lots whereon the City
Hotel, market, and principal Dundas street stores now stand, to Donald
and Finlay McDonald for £175, to be paid in fat cattle and wheat.
They had but little money in those days, and trading was done in this
manner. It is related that Finlay McDonald was found stealing lum-
ber from Marcus Holmes' yard. Holmes had been missing lumber for
some time, and this night waited up to catch the thief. On discover-
ing Fmdlay,he said to him: "Now, Findlay, it is troublesome to come
packing lumber a dark night like this; come in the day-time with your
wagon after this."
Lawrence Lawrason is the next important commercial figure in the
beginning of London. About 1825 he opened the first post-office to
e iound north of St. Thomas— with the exception of Delaware About
the year 1833 or 1834 he joined George J. Goodhue in mercantile
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 219
business in this city, which at that time formed only a small and strag-
gling business, the store being on Ridout street, immediately south of
the premises at present occupied by Hamilton. Subsequently the firm
transferred their stock to the corner of Dundas and Ridout streets,
where Osborne's intelligence office is now kept : this was burned in
1851. Here Mr. Lawrason remained some fifteen years ; and it was
during this period, about the year 1834, that he received the appoint-
ment of Justice of the Peace. The firm subsequently moved to the
southeast corner of Dundas and Talbot streets, and conducted an exten-
sive wholesale business. He died in 1881.
About 1825 a newspaper mail was left at the stage house (Trow-
bridge's) in Westminster, and later George J. Goodhue was appointed
postmaster for that neighborhood. In 1828 the post-office was moved
from Concession 1, Westminster, to London, where Ira Scho field
was appointed postmaster. His office was in his farm house, a few
hundred feet east of the spot where the great Convent of the Sacred
Heart now stands. Benjamin Higgins, born in Ireland in 1804, died
at London,. Aug. 24, 1880. The same year that the post-office was
established here he settled in London, and labored on his ten-acre farm
at Blackfriars' Bridge for years. In 1831 he married a Miss Gray,
who lived at St. John's. For twenty-five years he carried on the
hotel business here, and conducted freight business between London
and Hamilton and Port Stanley. His hotel stood where the Cronyn
block is now, the lot costing him only $80. In 1837-8 he was
dispatch bearer. Henry Davis, who came to London from New York in
1827 and established his jewelry store on Ridout street in 1831, died here
in 1882. The McCann family arrived later, and have continued to hold
a high place in the estimation of the people. The list of early names,
such as the Cruikshanks, connected with the beginning of London,
might be continued through twenty pages ; but as such names are con-
nected with some special profession or trade, the writer leaves them to
be dealt with in other sections of this chapter, and refers the reader to
the lists of early grocery and tavern-keepers.
Although the city was " proclaimed " in 1796, in 1819 Delaware was
the nearest post-office to the forks. The nearest mill was near Byron,
kept by Sweet Gardner and Sylvester Reynolds. The mill was erected
by Towusend and Tunk, where the Springbank hotel now stands.
The water-power was taken from the springs. In 1833 a mill was
built at Byron by Burleigh Hunt, and was the first run by the waters
of the Thames, and the nearest bridge across the river was at the same
place. On Oct. 1st, 1826, the logs for McGregor's shanty were cut,
and Cyrus Sumner built the first brick dwelling-house later. In 1831
Edward A. Talbot started the first newspaper in Canada printed west
of Hamilton. The first lawyers in the young city were John Rolph
and John Tenbroeck, each of whom has left a melancholy history.
Dr. Archibald Chisholm was the first physician here, and under his
auspices the City Hospital was established about two and one-half miles
.•
220 HISTORY OF THE
out on the Hamilton Road. It had accommodation for 40 patients.
Almost contemporary with Dr. Chisholm were Dr. Hiram Lee, who
built the first brick residence in 1846, and Dr. Donnelly. The latter
died in 1832, fighting the cholera. Dr. Lee fell a victim in 1854 to
the ship fever, which was very virulent in the city after the opening
of the railway. The first market was on the corner of the court-house
Square, corner of King and Ridout streets. It was removed from that
to Wellington street, and finally to its present position, corner of King
and Talbot. For a long time the trade of the city was confined to
the west of Richmond street, and it does not require a very old man
to remember the first brick store that was built on Dundas street, east
of Richmond. It is now occupied by Boyd & Philips, and was built
by Reuben Short, who kept a stove shop on the opposite side, of the
street. Twenty-one years ago the only brick buildings upon Richmond
street, south of King, were the Tecumseh House on one side and Geo.
Nickle's livery stable on the other. The old Music Hall, on the corner
of York and Richmond streets, was frame, with a brick front.
Henry Groves (" Captain Groves "), who settled in London in 1832,
died in 1887, aged 81 years. He remembered well the primitive days
of the city, when he saw a bear walk along Dundas street, swim the
river and enter the woods on the western bank. He also remembered
the building of the log jail on the site of the present court-house,
during the progress of which the prisoners were chained to stumps.
He fought in two skirmishes against the Patriots in 1837-8 ; was
High Constable for many years, and, in 1852, when an English family
introduced the Asiatic cholera, he was the only man in London who
could be found to take care of the stricken people — Dr. Donnelly hav-
ing died, and Dr. Lee being engaged in prescribing. Robert Summers,
speaking of Groves' bear story, states the animal was shot in the river
at the Forks in the fall of 1849 or 1850— Ned Harris, a son of Treas-
urer Harris, taking the carcass ashore. The boys captured the cubs
in London South.
The Inquirer, published here in 1840, gives an account of London
as it was in December of that year: — " In the enumeration of the
various kinds of goods kept in a general store, is the advertisement of
L. Lawrason. In the same line of business we find the rival cards of
John Jennings, G. J. Goodhue, Kerr & Armstrong, Douglas & Warren,
Gleunon & Co., Angus & Birrell, J. H. Joyce and John Claris. Com-
bining the business of a general grocer with that of a baker, we find
the name of L. Perrin, and to regulate the digestion of the incongruous
mass of merchandise which appears to have been dealt out over the
counter in the stores above named, ranging from cast steel axes to
soft soap and Digby herrings, Lyman, Moore & Co.,* and J. Salter, at
their drug establishments kept every variety of medicinal preparation,
which they offer to dispose to customers, ' sparing no pains,' an intima-
tion which we hope they did not intend literally. A flouring mill
* Lyman came from Montreal with his first partner, Tim Farr.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
221
' near the centre of the town/ was owned by Dennis O'Brien, now the
Blackfriars' Mill, built about 1834; John Talbot and Schram & Groves
carried on the auction and commission business of town and country ;.
W. Horton, H. C. E. Becher and Frederick Cleverly announce their
willingness to look after all legal matters ; Alex. Hamilton did the
shaving and hair dressing; Simeon Morrill, the tanning; Yale &
Warters and S. Condon, the tinning; E. Mootry and J. Wells,
the tailoring ; S. Peters and Henry Leaning provided meat ; U. C.
Lee and \Vm. Lee, brothers of Dr. Lee. proprietors of the Eobinson
Hall, and the Mansion House, Dundas street, kept sundry accom-
modations ' good for man and beast.' A news-room appears to have
been among the other advantages which London at that early date
possessed. It was kept by John Norval, ' over J. W. Garrison's store,*"
access to which was obtainable by payment of an annual subscription r
and a charge of ' sixpence york per visit to non-subscribers.' From
the above array of names, trades, professions and callings, it will be
seen that our predecessors, if they had the wherewithal to purchase,
were in no danger of suffering for want of either the necessaries or the
luxuries of life. Speaking of purchase, brings to our recollection an
advertisement in one of the papers before us which will give an idea
of the ' currency ' of the day : —
T]
1 one dollar per bushel, in Goods, tor
good wheat.
G. J. GOODHUE."
THE SUBSCRIBERS ARE NOW
receiving Pork and Wheat in pay-
ment of debts, and in exchange for goods.
Part cash for good Pork.
SMITH, MATHIESON, MOORE & Co.
London in the Forties. — In the foregoing pages the history of the
settlement is treated up to its organization as a village. In the ex-
haustive municipal sketch, one would think that every name connected
with the village has a place ; and now take a look back to the days of
the village and town councils — from 1840 to 1853. In April, 1845,
one hundred and fifty buildings were destroyed by fire. The territory
from Dundas almost to the river, and from Talbot to Eidout, was
burned over, as related in the history of the Fire Department, except
the Balkwill Hotel, which stood where the City Hotel stands. Four-
years later the Episcopalians, Baptists and New Connexion Methodists
had each a brick house of worship; the Wesleyans, Catholics, Con-
gregationalists, Free Churchmen, Secessionists, Universalists, Colored
Methodists and Colored Baptists had each a frame church building. At.
this time London had daily mail communication with all towns on the
main road from Montreal to Amherstburg, as well as to St. Thomas
and Port Stanley ; thrice a week with Sarnia, and twice a week with
Goderich.
The journalists were Lemon & Hart, of the Times, 1844; George
Brown, of the Western Globe, who printed the paper at Toronto, 1845 ;
Wm. Sutherland, of the Canadian Free Press, 1849 ; and John R
Lavell, of the Gospel Messenger, 1848.
.-
-2'2'2 HISTORY OF THE
The physicians in London in 1849 were A. Anderson, David Far-
row Henry Going, A. McKenzie, Charles G. Moore, Dr. Thomas
Phillips (then 'County Coroner), and George Southwick. They were
the only physicians then in the county, but others from St. Thomas,
Vienna and Port Stanley practiced here. The pioneers— Donnelly,
Lee, Chisholm— were all gone, although Dr. Lee did not die until
1854, when ship cholera carried away himself, G. Eoutledge and others.
The banisters of London and county in 1849 were Henry Becher,
K. Becher, James Daniel, Wm. Horton, E. Jones Parke, Thomas
Scatcherd, J. F. Saxon, S. Shanley, D. M. Thompson, John Wilson
.and Counsellor Hughes. Mr. Thompson returned to Adelaide, where
he is a leading farmer to-day.
The hotels of London in 1849 were:— Hope Hotel, by Wm. Balk-
Avill ; Wm. Barker's Hotel ; Kobinson Hall, by J. M. Bennett ; Ex-
change Inn, by W. B. Lee; Matthew's Hotel; McDowell's Hotel;
McFie's Hotel ; Eobertson's Hotel ; British Exchange, by John Smith ;
Caledonia, by S. Smith; Strong's Hotel; Kobert Summers' Hotel;
and Mansion House, by Dave Thompson.
The merchants, traders and manufacturers were : —
Adair & Thompson Dry Goods
Adams, E Grocer
Anderson, M Foundry
Beddome, F. B Bookseller
Bissell, Wm Sash Factory
Buckley, R. H Grocer
Carling, Wm Brewer
Childs, W. H Insurance
Coats, J Livery
Code, Thomas Building
Collovin, Matthew Dry Goods
Cox, B. & Co Dry Goods
Dal ton, Henry Tallow Chandler
Darch, Robert Saddler
Davis, Henry Watchmaker
Dimond, John Brewer
Dixon, Thomas C Hatter
Eccles & Labatt Brewers
Elliott, J Builder
Ellis, E. P . . . .Cabinetmaker
Fennell, Robert Saddler
Franklin, J Insurance
Fraser, John Bank Montreal
Gibbins, Joe Saddler
Gillean, J Bookseller
Glass, Wm Grocer
Glen, J Tailor
Gordon, Wm Dry Goods
Graham, J. M Bookseller
Green & Bros Builders
Gunn, G. M Dry Goods
Hall, W Tailor
Hamilton, James.. Bank of Upper Canada
Holmes, M Carriage Builder
Hope, Birrell & Co ... General Merchants
Hyman, E. W Tannery
Jackson & Elliott Foundry
Jarmain, John Tinsmith
Jeanneret, R. J Watchmaker
Jennings, John Livery
King, W Saddler
Lampkin, H Insurance
Lawrason & Chisholm Merchants
Lemon & Hart Times
Leonard, E Founder
Lowrie, A Carriagemaker
McDonald, Alex Insurance
Macklin, J. C General Merchant
McBride, S Tinsmith
McFie, Hugh Grocer
McFie, Dan Dry Goods
McGill, Francis Dry Goods
McKittrick, P Tailor
Magee, Geo. J Dry Goods
Magill, Matt Dry Goods
Macintosh, J. G. & Co Dry Goods
Marsh, D. 0 Saddler
Merrill, J. B Cabinetmaker
Mills, Wilson. Commission
Monsarratt, Chas Commercial Bank
Mitchell, B. A Druggist
Moore, Wm Distiller
Morrill, Simeon Tanner
Mountjoy & Sons Cabinetmakers
Murphy, D . . Grocer
Murray R. S. & Co Dry Goods
Newcombe, H. T Printer
Paul, A Grocer
Peters, Samuel Distiller
Phillips, John Dry Goods
Pomeroy, S. S Insurance
Plummer & Racy .Carriage Builders
Raymond, E Hatter
Raynard, John Dry Goods
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
223
Reid, Robert Bookseller
Rielly, W. T Livery
Ridout, L Hardware
Rose, Hugh Grocer
Salter, John Druggist
Smith, Francis Grocer
Smith, A. & G Grocer
Smith, Roger Miller
Stewart Bros Tailors
Street, W. W Gore Bank
Sutherland, W Free Press
Talbot, John Auctioneer
Till, W Cabinets
Tyas & Williams Dry Goods
Watson, George Builder
Williams, J Druggist
Wilson, Robert Grocer
Winsor & Screaton Builders
A hundred names of those who were associated with the progress of
the village prior to 1849 could be given here, but as such names are
reserved for the pages devoted to the industries of London, only those
who might escape notice are here given. Samuel Stansfield, a member
of London's first Council and a resident for 37 years, died in May, 1882.
Sergeant Wm. Dal ton was born in Ireland in 1822. After the Afghan
war of 1842 he came to London, where his wife died in 1881, and him-
self in April, 1885. He was barrack sergeant here for years. John
Parkinson, who settled in London in 1839, died in October, 1888.
Immediately after settlement, he began work in the brick-yard of
James Ferguson, on Bathurst, between Talbot and Ridout streets ; but
for the succeeding 35 years was an employe of E. W. Hyman. In
1881 his wife met with an accident at the Richmond street railroad
crossing, which resulted in her death. Henry Coombs, who settled in
the London neighborhood in 1842. opened one of the first cabinet-
making houses at London in 1843 ; but the Ellis shop was in existence
at least ten years prior to Coombs' opening, because in 1834 Robert
Summers purchased some furniture there. Old Dr. Moore, a tall,
well- educated Irishman, was a celebrated physician in the early years
of the county. His death took place in 1842 or 1843. Dr. Charles
G. Moore came afterwards to the city and practiced here until his death.
Geo. M. Gunn came to London in 1842, and entered into business with
his brother William, who had a general store on Dundas street, near
Robinson Hall. The fire of 1844 destroyed their premises, so that they
reopened one block east. Geo. M. died in 1882. Wm. Dunbar, who
came here in 1843, was a partner of Geo. Durand in the blacksmith
shop which then occupied the corner of Richmond and King streets. In
1845 Durand moved to the United States, when James Dunbar took
his place as partner, and from 1845 to 1879 the brothers carried on the
blacksmith business on York street. James Dunbar settled in Middle-
sex in 1833, and died in 1882. Captain Isaac May, born in Cavan
County, Ireland, in 1821, settled at London in 1844, and died in 1884.
He was the pioneer of the steamship line between Cleveland and Port
Stanley, and owned seven barges and two steamers, besides other craft.
In 1846 Thomas Scanlon carried on the business of tallow chandler.
Dr. Henry Hanson migrated to Canada in 1844, and settled near Hyde
Park village ; but later took a position in Dr. Salter's drug store, studied
medicine, and in 1846 began the practice of medicine, travelling
through Western Ontario, as there were no regular physicians outside
London, Sarnia and Goderich. His death took place in January, 1885.
15
224 HISTORY OF THE
Henry Coombs' family now own the Mansion house. In 1832 Stillman
Olds was a currier, William Underwood and Isaac L. George, millers,
of London, Wm. Cooper, carpenter, of Westminster.
In April, 1853. a great convention of colored refugees from slavery
was held at London. The colored population of the town then was
276, and their real estate was assessed at $13,504. At this convention,
numbers of colored folk from the Wilberforce colony near Lucan were
present.
To point out the precocious growth of ideas at the close of the period
it will ouly be necessary to quote the following motion by Councillors
Barker and McClary, made in September, 1851. This called attention
to the fact that Mr. Strathy was about building his new house at the
corner of Duiidas and Eidout, and " That the Council have heard with
regret that it is to be only two stories, which, in the opinion of this
Council, would be very unsightly and offensive to those who have
expended large sums in that neighborhood for the ornament and
improvement of the town." It was well such guardians of the beauti-
ful did not pass an ordinance making it optional with the people to
say what class of house Tom, Dick or Harry should build They may
have learned that tastes were developing, and trusted to time to teach
even house builders what harmony signifies.
The opening of the railroad in 1853 raised up new aspirations. In
September of that year, £200 — not dollars — were appropriated by the
Council, to celebrate the opening of the Great Western Eailroad ; and
£200 were granted to the Mayor, in recognition of his services as
Mayor and as a director in the railroad company. That ceremony
introduced modern London, for with the shrill voice of the locomotive
came new strangers, some from the world of luxury and fashion, some
from that of labor and worth, all teaching lessons, all taking a part in
forming society and building it up from the state of revelry to that of
dignity.
Real Estate in 1852-7. — In 1851, what is known in modern days
as a real estate boom, visited the town of London. Owing to the
prospects of increased railway accommodation, speculators took advan -
tage of the opportunity, and startling transactions in real estate become
of daily occurrence. The unsuspecting public nipped at the gilded
bait, and property assumed a highly fictitious value. Lots were pur-
chased for prospective suburban residences, almost as far out as
Komoka, at ridiculous figures ; but the fond hopes of the ill-advised
investors never matured, and the excitement eventually subsided, not,
however, without leaving in its wake the usual contingent of luckless
victims.
As an idea of how properties sold at that time, A. S. Abbott, city
clerk, tells of purchasing a lot of 42 feet frontage near where the Abbott
carriage factory now stands on Dundas street, between Wellington and
Waterloo, in 1853 or 1854, at $100 per foot, and in a year or two
afterwards he saw the adjoining lot sold for $13 per foot. That was
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 225
only one instance out of hundreds. The panic of 1857 came to com-
plete the wreck. A number of men, some old settlers like Peter
McCann, held a large quantity of land through the years of depres-
sion ; but now they were compelled to sell it for a trifle, or allow it
to pass from their possession.
Ten years after the first railroad train entered London, commercial
and real estate men felt that the days of panic were over, and that the
city had been placed on a sure foundation of prosperity. The rental
of real estate in 1863 was $155,997, and the yearly value, when rental
was not assessed, $123,335,— or total value, $279,832; the taxable in-
come was $451,200, and the total value of personal property $521,000.
Post-office. — The nearest post-offices to London were one at St.
Thomas, another at Ingersoll, which was kept by Squire Ingersoll,
after whom the town of that name is called, and the remaining one on
the plains north of Hall's mills, where Mr. Lawrason, father of London's
police magistrate, carried on a combined post-office and general store.
The mails were delivered at irregular intervals, and on the delivery
days there was always a strong rush for the messages which the iso-
lated settlers expected to receive. On the settlement of the village,
an office was established in 1828, with Ira Schofield in charge ; but in
1829, Geo. J. Goodhue was appointed master, he having previously
established the mail at his store in Westminster. The office was in a
small log house on North street, in an unsettled part of the village, a
little east of the entrance to the former residence of L. Lawrason, near
the Sacred Heart Convent. It was a rude log cabin, and its remote-
ness was very inconvenient to the business community. Government
was therefore petitioned for its removal, and it was thereafter kept in
Goodhue's store. The mail in those days only came in once a week,
which, however, was considered fast work in view of the few facilities
afforded. Mr. Goodhue held this office up to 1852, except during the
short term of his suspension.
Lawrence Lawless, who in 1852 settled in Delaware, and was the
first mail carrier between that village and London, was subsequently
clerk for Lawrason, again for Goodhue, and later for Jennings. Later
still, he was Assistant Postmaster at Toronto; but after Goodhue
resigned the London office, Lawless was appointed, retiring as a super-
annuate in 1880, and dying September 21, 1882.
In June, 1881, Postmaster R. J. C. Dawson was appointed, having
been connected with the office since 1852-3. J. D. Sharman, the
Assistant Postmaster, has been in the office since 1859. In speaking
of those days, through the Advertiser, he says : — f< When I came here,
the office was next door, where Aid. Moule's store is now. The staff
consisted of eight, all told. There was L. Lawless, the Postmaster ;
R. J. C. Dawson, acting assistant; John Maitland, Joseph Gordon,
E. D. Campbell, F. French, and myself, clerks. Mr. Lawless is dead ;
John Maitland is still alive, and approaching 90 years of age ; Joseph
Gordon is in Toronto ; R. D. Campbell, who was a son of the late
I
226 HISTORY OF THE
Judge Campbell, of Niagara Falls, and a very fine fellow, is dead also ;
and Fleming French is now in the Ottawa post-office. In 1859 there
were eight employe's. At the beginning of the letter delivery we had
five carriers, now we have twenty-five, while the whole force of
employe's numbers forty-nine. Then the office revenue was $12,000
per annum ; now it is $47,000. There were only four officials in the
Inspector's department in 1863 ; now there are eight. Gilbert Griffin
was luspector then; he is now in Kingston. George Cox was chief
clerk; he is now living in the northern part of the city. Charles
Whalen and Pat. Dower were clerks. Whalen is farming in the
Eastern township, and Dower is dead."
In 1853-4, while the office was still on Eidout street, a system of
letter delivery was obtained. John Nichol was authorized by several
residents to call for their letters at the office, and his system of private
delivery continued about thirteen years, the people paying a direct tax
of one penny per letter to Nichol. Street letter boxes were placed Dec.
21, 1874, and later, the letter delivery system was extended to the
city. The revenue from 1876 to 1888 is stated as follows : —
1876 $28,12625 1881 $38,31942 1884.. .$42,73559
1879 32,91350 1882 43,45551 1885 42,51746
1880 35,804 90 1883 42,502 94 1886 44,309 78
1887 $45,693 64
The revenue of 1888 will run to about $47,000.00, the fiscal year
including June 30. The site for the London Post Office was purchased
from W. & J. Calling in 1856 for $8,640. In 1870-1 an additional
tract of land was purchased. In the fall of 1858 work was commenced
•on the building, which was completed in 1860, at a cost of $30,482.76.
Up to July 1, 1867, no less than $40,526.06 were expended on con-
struction, site and repairs. The original building was carried out by
Mr. Elliot from design by Architect W. B. Leather. Front, 48 feet ;
rear, 59 feet, and depth, 66 feet. In 1873-4 an addition was made
.from plans by Architect Wm. Eobinson.
The Custom House. — In J854, when London was established a
•custom district, the office was on the ground floor of the building
opposite Market Lane on Dundas. Some time later, Dr. Hiram Lee, a
son of the dramatist, was appointed Collector, but in 1855-6 he was
succeeded by his brother-in-law, James B. Strathy, then clerk of the
county. He held the office until 1878, when Eobert Eeid, the present
Collector, was appointed. The business was carried on for some time
opposite the City Hall on Eichmond street ; again in the Albion
Buildings from 1858 to September, 1872, when a part of the present
building was completed.
The site of the Custom House was purchased in 1869-70 from St
Paul's Church for $8,000. In the latter year the work of construction
commenced, and continued until completion in 1873-4. The main
building is three stories high, covering 30,509 square feet. The one-
story annex covers 1,204 square feet. The outer walls of Ohio stone
.are built m the modern Italian style, from plans by Wm. Eobinson.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 227
The custom receipts of the port from 1871 to 1881 are as fol-
lows : —
1871 $233,126 1874 $304.888 1877 $419,938 1880 $451,751
1872 263,076 1875 330,232 1878 459,147 1881 541,724
1873 214,970 1876 353,377 1879 470,510
The officers of the Port of London are Eobert Eeid, Collector ; E,
S. Collett, Surveyor; Thos. Miller, Chief Clerk; W. G. Flynn, Clerk;
J. L. Williams, Clerk and Locker ; Oscar H. Talbot, Clerk ; Jno. Sid-
dons, Appraiser ; Geo. D. Sutherland, Dry Goods Appraiser ; Ed.
Finnegan, Clerk ; William Brett, Packer ; Kichard Irvine, Landing
Waiter, Grand Trunk depot ; Edward B. Minhinnick, Assistant Land-
ing Waiter, G. T. R ; William Taylor, Landing Waiter at Michigan
Central depot. The outports connected are at Strathroy and Clinton,
where James Taylor and John Irvine are Collectors.
Military Buildings. — In 1864 two brick sheds and armories were
constructed on Central and Wellington streets, one 113x77 feet, and
one 143x43 feet, in the centre of Militia Grounds. The large shed
was demolished by a storm. In February, 1865, the military barracks,
then evacuated by the troops on order of Governor Williams, for an
alleged insult offered to Garrison Commander Boles by the Mayor, were
for sale. In 1864 the military also were quartered in the McPherson
carriage factory. In June, 1876, the contracts for erection of brick
militia buildings were sold for $6,342, J. Bryan, J. Garner and A.
Purdom being the contractors. The brick storehouse cost $2,818, and
the caretaker's house and magazine $5,876 ; in all, $18,136.
Railroad Buildings. — The first Grand Trunk depot of 1858 was an
open platform for freight and passenger business, just east of Adelaide
street. This was succeeded by a brick building. The location was
inconvenient ; so the company sought a spot on Hamilton Road and
Burwell street, where a frame shanty was erected 18x20 feet, con-
structed with rough boards. In December, 1872, this building was
destroyed. The old broad-gauge bed from St. Marys to London was
changed to the American gauge that year, and a desire for improve-
ment was manifest ; but yet the company switched an old coach on
the west track which was used as office arid waiting-room until the
present buildings were opened Jan. 1, 1875. The first freight agent
was P. H. Carter, who was succeded by Calvert. Carter returned, but
was succeeded by Thorp. Wm. Whyte came in 1874. In 1879 J. A.
Roche succeeded him.
The Canadian Pacific Railroad depot, near the northern limits of
the city, is also a modern building.
The Michigan Central depot and grounds are new additions to the
city — coming with the railroad. The building is modern in every
respect, and though not by any means the largest, is as substantially
built as any, and architecturally the neatest in Canada.
Modern Building Era. — The erection of the Tecumseh House and
City Hall in 1854-5 ushered in the modern building era. In 1856,
228
HISTORY OF THE
Owner.
Ashton
Street.
Dundas . .
Builder.
.Moffat...
. Screaton.
.Green ...
Elliott...
.Garratt..
. Campbell
Est'm'd.
$ 800
2,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
3,000
2,000
1 fiOO
Adams . . .
Campbell . .
Darby ....
Leonard . .
McGauley .
Magee.
\X , •* O /\ i- r« i f\ ]r
..Duke....
. Talbot . .
. Richmond
do.
..King
..Dundas.. .
•I*
brick, stone and frame houses were added to the few important stores
and dwellings which escaped the fires of former years, and in 1859 no
less than $81,000 were expended on pretentious structures. In that
year the following investments were made : —
Owner. Street. Builder. Est'mM.
New Bank . . ..Richmond. . .$30,000
Post Office do. Campbell 20,000
Smith, F Dundas... do. 6,000
School Horton. . . .Garratt.. 2,000
WesleyanCh.. Pall Mall., do. 800
Wilson, Capt.. Talbot Moffat . . 3,000
Wheeler do. do. 800
MOO We.lington...{£°^} Code. 1,000
John Mills, the stationer, who came here in 1858, makes this
statement : — " There was only one house the other side of Maitland
street, and that belonged to a Mr. Rowland, whose son is in the city
now. My store at present is in the heart of the business part of
London. In those days it was near the edge, as most of the trade of
the city was done west of Richmond street. Still there were a num-
ber of stores around here, but nothing like there is to-day."
From this period forward the enterprise of the capitalist, of the
religious and secret societies, of the hundreds who were searching for
pleasant homes, went hand-in-hand with the energy of contractors,
and gave to London of the present day well built-up business thorough-
fares, streets, and elegant residence streets.
Queen's avenue is the most beautiful drive ; the rows of residences
along this street are worth noting. Among the most attractive are those
of John Labatt, Geo. T. Hiscox, Dr. Moorehouse, Dr. Campbell, the
London Club, Wm. Spencer, Duffield, Mrs. Rock, Col. Lewis, A. W.
Porte, St. Andrew's manse, Dr. Eccles, Ed. Beltz, J. K. Clare, Mrs.
Elliott, W. D. Eckert, J. B. Laidlaw, A. S. Abbott, Gilbert Glass, F. E.
Leonard, Major Larmour, Chas. Crawford, E. R. Baynes, E. B. Reed,
St. Paul's rectory, Philip Cook, J. M. Denton's terrace, A. Screaton,
S. R. Brown.
Talbot street boasts of several good residences. Among the best
are those of Mayor Cowan, Mrs. Meredith, Robt. Pritchard, Carleton
Terrace, A. K. Melbourne, Dr. Fraser, Harvey's terrace, Dr. Smith,
Wm. A. Lipsey, R. J. C. Dawson, A. M. Smart, Alex. Stewart, John
S. Pearce, Donald McDonald, W. J. Saunby, Wm. Magee, W. C.
Furness, Rev. Canon Newman, Alex. Harvey, Thos. S. Hobbs, Cam-
den terrace, James Owrey, R. S. Murray, Miss Kennedy, W. J.
Hyman, Geo. S. Birrell, Hon. Elijah Leonard, to which list must be
jidded Carlirigs' brewery.
King street is another drive, along which are many fine residences
worth seeing Among these are the homes of Dr. Moore, John Wolfe,
B. A. Mitchell, R. C. Struthers, Wm. Stevely, Dr. Cattermole, Robert
Reid, Inspector Boyle, T. C. Hewitt, R. C. Macfie, John Taylor, F. A.
Fitzgerald, John Tanton, James H. Belton, L. H. Scandrett, Thos. Pur-
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 229
dom, Mrs. Tilley, Frederick Rowland, Wm. Willis, John Adams, John
Forsytb, John G. Mclntosh, Mrs. Elliott, Mrs. Johnston, Arthur Wal-
lace, Mrs. H. Davis, Eobert McPherson, H. Ashplant, Wm. Ward, Dr.
Tennant, H. C. Green, J. L. Burt, John Purdom, D. A. McDermid, H.
G. Abbott, K. D. Dulmage, and Mrs. H. K. Brown.
Among the finer class of residences on Dufferin avenue are those
of John Ferguson, J. W. Little, Wm. McDonough, George C. Gibbons,
W. T. Strong, C. W. Andrus, St. Peter's Palace, Eev. J. F. Latimer,
James C. Duffield, Geo. F. McCormick, Wm. M. Spencer, the Colle-
giate Institute, S. H. Craig, J. B. Vining, Judge Elliot, Andrew Cleg-
horn, K. D. Millar, Mrs. Graydon, Geo. Laing, Wilbur R. Vining,
Richard Irving, Andrew Dale, John Shopland, Charles G. Cody, C. H.
E. Fisher, W. D. Buckle, Frank Glass, L. C. Leonard, John Bowman,
Alfred Robinson, Walter Bartlett, W. T. Edge, Colonel Aylmer.
There are many other very fine residences in London worth seeing,
but it is hardly possible to give a full list. Among the principal are
those of Colonel Peters, on Maple street ; Dr. Brown, on Kent ; Josiah
Blackburn, W. R. Meredith, Mr. McKinnon, James Magee and R.
Bayly, on Albert street ; John McNee, J. D. Anderson, Mrs. Moore,
Wm. E. Saunders, James Reid, Robert Reid, jr., and George McNab,
on Central avenue ; S. Macdonald, Dr. Oronhyatekha, Chas. Kent and
Joseph Jeffrey, on Lichfield street ; Bishop Baldwin and Geo. Robin-
son, on St. James street ; Mrs. E. W. Hyman, on Sydenham ; St. John
Hyttenrauch, J. 1). Sharman and Isaac Danks, on Richmond street ;
Wm. Percy and Samuel Flory, on Grosvenor street; Henry Becher
and John Puddicombe, Huron College and Principal Fowell's residence,
on George street ; Chief Williams, on Colborne street ; Nathaniel Reid,
on Waterloo street ; Alex. Johnston, on Colborne street ; the Sacred
Heart Convent, on Dundas street ; Samuel Glass and M. Masuret, on
Wellington street ; George Taylor, on Adelaide street ; Samuel Craw-
ford, V. Cronyn. Rev. J. H. Robinson, Wm. Bowman, Murray Ander-
son. Ben Higgins, and John B. Murphy, on Dundas street ; James D.
Smith, W. F. Bullen, Rev. J. B. Richardson, Rowland Dennis and
Donald Morrison, on William street ; Thomas Muir, David Smith, C.
D. Barr, Mrs. Russell Hardy and John Christie, on Waterloo ; Sheriff
Glass, Ed. Meredith, L. K. Cameron and J. D. Mcllwain, on Colborne
street ; Chas. F. Col well, Joshua Garrett, Mrs. Macbeth, Thos. Green,
M. D. Fraser and A. W. Fraser, on Princess avenue ; John Coote, on
Oxford street.
On Dundas and Richmond streets are several fine business blocks,
hotels and bank buildings, and at the corner of Richmond street and
Dufferin avenue, on the old lot patented by the Government to the
Church, is St. Peter's Cathedral, a building that would do credit to one
of the oldest and most populous cities of the continent.
The court-house, jail and county offices on Ridout street are very
primitive structures. The court-house and jail is a feudal-looking
pile, built at the close of an age which dreamt only of keeping the
230 HISTORY OF THE
people in a state of serai-slavery. It is a venerable pile, but will have
to go down to make room for a modern building.
The past few years have seemed to intensify the admiration of
residents and attract accessions to the population. New homes, new
school and church buildings emphasize these appearances. The beauty
of location, the enterprise and liberality of the founders and builders,
not more than educational and social prominence, the superiority of
public, private, denominational and convent schools, and the compara-
tively high state of morals to be found in the city, combine to render
it a point where merit will receive encouragement and assistance.
With all that has been done, much remains to be accomplished.
The destiny of the city will be reached when all, every one, of the
animate barriers who are now here find a less progressive and more
congenial land, or are called away to that happy country, where for-
ever they can blow at Gabriel's horn.
Municipal Histoi^y. — In former pages of this work, devoted to
general history, an endeavor has been made to fully portray that
period in the history of the city when the primary steps were taken
to found a colony and build a town. Bringing the record down to a
date when the early settlement, emerging from behind clouds of
disappointment and uncertainty, took its allotted place among the
established evidences of Western Canadian enterprise, it is now
proposed to examine into a period in the history of the same city,
when, with resources greatly enlarged and territory extended by a
brilh'ant career of enterprise and industry, it has progressed to a degree
of perfection invariably attending the exercise of these incentives.
Such success, born of laudable ambition, may have excited the jealousy
of rivals, but it has not bred a mischievous policy ; it has not nur-
tured the germs of domestic corruption, which culminate in decay.
Under public and private care the city grew rapidly, trade was ex-
tended, manufactures increased, great improvements effected, additional
school-buildings erected, new religious and secular societies organized,
agricultural interests forwarded by every means, railroads aided and
built, bridges constructed, and everything accomplished which gave
promise of contributing to municipal, commercial and social advance-
ment.
On Jan. 30, 1826, an act to establish the district town of the London
District in a more central position and to annex the townships of
Walpole and Eainham to Haldimand County, in the Niagara District,
was passed. This act provided that Quarter Sessions and District
courts be held within some part of the reservation formerly made for
the site of a town, near the forks of the Thames in the townships of
London and Westminster, in Middlesex County, so soon as a jail and
court-house be completed. The survey, as recorded in the beginning
of this chapter, was made, and the work of Quarter Sessions and Assize
Courts was begun here in 1827. The settlement formed a part of
i London Township down to 1840, when a village government was
COUNTY OF MIDDLES EX. 231
granted. From 1842 to its incorporation as a city in 1854, the town wa& .
represented in the County Council, as shown in the general chapter
on Quarter Sessions and County Councils, but for the last thirty-four
years its government has been distinct from that of the county, being,
as it were, one of the principalities which Dorchester dreamt of build-
ing up out of the wilderness, differing only in having men chosen by
men to rule.
Village of London Council. — The Presidents of the Village of
London from 1840 to 1847 are named as follows: — George J. Good-
hue, 1840 ; James Givens, 1841 ; Edward Matthews, 1842-3 ; James
Farley, 1844; John Balkwill, 1845; T. W. Shepherd, 1846; and
Hiram D. Lee, 1847. The Councillors of St. Patrick's Ward were
Dennis O'Brien, 1840-1 ; John O'Neil, 1842 ; Edward Matthews, 1843,,
who later shot himself where the Federal Bank was erected ; J. Cruik-
shank, 1844-5 ; Wm. Balkwill, 1846 ; and H. S. Eobinson, 1847. The
Councillors of St. George's Ward were Geo. J. Goodhue, 1840; John
Jennings, 1841; John Claris, 1842-3; John Jennings, 1844-5; T. W.
Stephen, 1846 ; Wm. Barker, 1847. The Councillors of St. Andrew's
Ward were Simeon Morrill, 1840-1 ; H. Van Buskirk, 1842 ; Kichard
Frank, 1843 ; John Talbot, 1844 ; John Balkwill, 1845 ; Simeon Mor-
rill, 1846 ; Philo Bennett, 1847. The Councillors of St. David's Ward
were John Balkwill, 1840-4 ; John Blair, 1845 ; John O'Flynn, 1846 ;.
James Graham, 1847. The additional Councillors, commonly called
"fifth members," were James Givens, 1840-1; Edward Matthews,,
1842 ; John O'Neil, 1843 ; James Farley, 1844 ; John O'Flynn, 1845 ;
Geo. Thomas, 1846; Dr. H. D. Lee, 1847. The Clerks of the old
village were Alex. Eobertson, 1840; D. J. Hughes, 1841 ; W. K. Cor-
nish, 1842-3; Geo. Kailton, 1844; Thomas Scatcherd, 1845-6; Henry
Hamilton, 1847.
Transactions of the Old Council. — There is no record ante-dating
April, 1843, when clerk W. K. Cornish was instructed to obtain a
minute book and the necessary stationery for the use of the Police
Board. Ezekiel Whittimore was appointed inspector, but the object
which he was to inspect is not named. The amount in which the
treasurer was to give bonds was £1,000 ; the clerk, £500 ; inspector,
£100; assessor, £250; constable, £100; collector, £500. Thomas
Carling was appointed street surveyor, his pay being five shillings
for each day engaged. Wm. Kobb was appointed constable ; J. H.
Carr, assessor, and John O'Neil, collector. In May the sum of £10
was granted to W. K. Cornish as rent for the use of his office to March,
1844, as Council Chamber. James Givens, President of the Board,,
was ordered to surrender the bond of John Hughes, former clerk of the
village. An entry of October 23, 1843, speaks plainly on some of the
habits and customs of the times. " John Balkwill, Esq., having
attended the Board in a state of intoxication : ordered, that the constable
do remove him ; he having done everything in his power to impede
the proceedings of the Board." Later that evening a second resolution
232 'HISTORY OF THE
was carried. " John Balkwill, Esq., one of the members of the Board,
having broken the windows of the office, or instigated the same to be
<lone : ordered, that the Board adjourn till to-morrow morning." W.
K. Cornish, village clerk, gave notice that he would resign, owing to
Balkwill's conduct.
In June or July, 1843, depredations of some character were com-
mitted at London. The Board offered £10, and Mr. Whittimore £5,
for the apprehension of the offenders.
Major Holmes, commanding the Twenty-third Eegiment, then
garrisoning London (July, 1844), was referred to clause eighteen of
by-laws, and requested to prevent his men from violating such clause.
Henry C. E. Becher, Charles Prior, Alex. Gordon and W. K. Cornish
were appointed returning officers for 1844. In December, 1844, the
use of the Board room was granted to the Masonic Lodge, on petition
of Alex. Gordon. In January, 1837, a petition from the residents of
London asked the Quarter Sessions Court to order all dogs to be " shut
up or shot ;" but as some of the magistrates were the owners of the
worst dogs in the village, the petition was left unnoticed. A "dog law,"
however, was passed by the Village Council, Feb. 2, 1884. The
•officers of the Board for 1844 were : — George Eailton, clerk ; W. W.
t Street, treasurer ; Boyle Travers, assessor; John McDowell, collector;
Philo Bennett, constable; E. Whittimore, inspector, and Benjamin
Higgins, pound-keeper.
The municipal business of 1845 opened with a meeting called to
protest against a petition then in the hands of the Government, seek-
ing the amendment of the village charter. Thos. Keir, Geo. Eailton,
Alex. Gordon and D. M. Thompson were returning officers. On Feb.
5, 1845, the question of who was elected to the Board from St. Patrick's
Ward was decided in favor of John Cruikshank against Hugh Steven-
son, and of John Balkwill against Ellis. Henry C. E. Becher repre-
sented Ellis, and Wm. Horton represented Hugh Stevenson. John
Wilson was employed as village attorney in May, 1845. The officers
of the Board for 1845 were :— W. W. Street, treasurer; Thomas
Scatcherd, clerk; Boyle Travers, assessor ; John McDowell, collector;
Peter McCann, constable; Ezekiel Whittimoie, warden and in-
spector and Benjamin Higgins, pound-keeper. In October, 1845,
Colonel Talbot was asked to bring before the Government the pro-
position of granting to the Town of London all the broken front
•lots within the village limits. In December a new series of by-
laws appeared in the Times. In August, 1846, George Thomas, a
member of the Board, moved to Chatham. His resignation was asked
for by letter of Clerk Scatcherd. Among the items paid in April,
L847, was £D to H. C. E. Becher "for drafting proposed new act of
incorporation of the town." In 1847 Henry Hamilton was elected
Clerk, and John Brown, collector, being the only changes in the list of
tfoard officers, John Walsh having refused to serve as inspector.
Many of the acts of the old village do not appear here. Those relat-
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX
233
ing to fires, licenses, hospitals, bonus to industries, police, schools, &c.,
will be found under their respective headings.
Town of London. — The act to repeal the act of incorporation of
the Town of London and to establish a Town Council for London,
instead of a Board of Police, was assented to July 28, 1847.
The Mayors of the Town of London from 1848 to 1854 are named
as follows :— Simeon Morrill, 1848 and 1850-1 ; Thomas C. Dixon,
1849; Edward Adams, 1852-3; and Marcus Holmes, 1854.
The Council of 1848 comprised H. S. Kobinson and John Dimond ;
Wm. Barker and Samuel Stansfield ; Philo Bennett and Michael Seger ;
A. McCormick and John Doyle, represented the wards respectively.
In 1849 M. Anderson and Eobert Gunn ; William Barker and Thomas
Carling ; James Daniel and Philo Bennett ; James Graham and Benj.
Nash. On March 1, 1849, effigies were publicly burned in the mar-
ket square of London. The Mayor, although asked by the Council to
take action in the matter, failed to notice the proceeding. In 1850,
each of the wards was given three representatives and the town a
Reeve and Deputy. The Councilmen were : — Murray Anderson, L.
Lawrason and John Ashton ; Thomas Carling, H. C. R. Becher and
Win. Barker ; Simeon Morrill, James Daniel and Philo Bennett ;
Benj. Nash, John K. Labatt and Edward Adams. In 1851 Edward
Adams replaced Lawrason for St. Patrick's ward ; Carling, Becher and
Barker were re-elected for St. George's ward ; Simeon Morrill, Oliver
McClary and Marcus Holmes for St. Andrew's ; John K. Labatt, D.
M. Thomson and John Clegg for St. David's. In 1852 James Oliver,
E. Adams and M. Anderson ; T. Carling, W. Barker and J. C. Mere-
dith ; Marcus Holmes, James Reid and Oliver McClary ; James Daniel,
Geo. Code and John Clegg, represented the several wards. In 1853
the first named two wards were represented as in 1852 : — Marcus
Holmes, James Cousins and Ellis W. Hyman represented St. Andrew's ;
John Scanlan, Peter Schram and James Daniel, St. David's. Mur-
ray Anderson was Reeve, and Wm. Barker, Deputy from 1840 to the
close of 1852. Wm. Barker in 1853-4, with Marcus Holmes, Deputy
in 1853, and Murray Anderson in 1854.
In 1854 Elijah Leonard replaced Oliver for St. Patrick's, Robert
Wilson replaced J. C. Meredith for St. George's, St. Andrew's Ward
retained its three representatives of 1853, while James Moffat, John
Blair and John Clegg were the Councilmen elected for St. David's
Ward.
Alfred Carter was the first clerk of the old town in 1848. James
Farley succeeded him in 1849, and held the position until the town
government was changed into a city government, Jan. L, 1855.
Transactions of Town Council. — The transactions of the old
Town Council, like those of the Village Council, were of such a varied
character, that like them, they are scattered throughout this chapter,
and some find a way into county history. On Aug. 17, 1847, Mr.
Barker was called to apologize for the use of abusive language to ,
I
234 HISTORY OF THE
brother members of the Board the day before. In August Collector
McDowell resigned, when A. S. Abbott was appointed to that posi-
tion. In September Clerk Carter refused to pay over moneys alleged
to have been collected by him, to the new Council. In October the
Council enacted that all religious societies using the Town Hall should
pay two and a-half shillings per night. The New Connexion Metho-
dist Society was permitted to put up an extra stove in the Council
room. Mr. McClary was town surveyor and engineer.
In January, 1849, the election case of Balk will vs. Nash was before
the Council. There were many witnesses, who proved that Balkwill,
since giving up house- keeping, still resided here, while others proved
him only to be a visitor. The Council decided in favor of Nash, who
was declared Councilman for St. David's Ward. James Farley was
chosen clerk ; and, on motion of Barker, seconded by Bennett, a vote
of thanks was given to ex-Clerk Charles Hutchinson for the efficient
and satisfactory manner in which he fulfilled the duties of his office.
A. S. Abbott was reappointed collector, with Fenser, Stead and Plum-
mer assessors.
On February 7 the Council convened to review the draft of a bill
providing for a general municipal incorporation law, and the town was
divided into Centre, North and South Wards. Henry C. E. Becher
was appointed town solicitor to succeed John Wilson.
In January, 1850, Eeeve Anderson was chosen to represent the
town in the County Council, with Deputy-Reeve Nash. James
Farley was appointed clerk; Peter McCann, High Bailiff; Captain
Caddy, engineer; W. W. Street, treasurer; A. S. Abbott, clerk.
Harding O'Brien, Hugh Stevenson and John McDowell were ap-
pointed assessors for St. George's Ward ; John Plummer, A. Lowrie
(succeeded by J. Talbot) and Peter Schram, for St. Patrick's ; John
Scanlon, E. P. Ellis and John Matthews, for St. Andrew's; James
Elliot, Henry Green and Thomas Fraser, for St. David's. The constables
then appointed for the wards, in the order as given, were Thomas
Fletcher and W. McAdam ; Patrick McLaughlin, John Booth and
Thomas Wiggins. A. W. Griffith was appointed inspector, with John
Lowrie. Samuel H. Parke was reappointed inspector of weights and
measures. The salaries were :— Clerk, £55 ; treasurer, £25 ; engineer,
£50; collector, £45; high constable, £25; inspectors, £12 10s. Od.
each In May, 1850, Councillor Labatt asked the Council to proclaim
May 24th a holiday.
In April, 1852, tenders for surveying the town were received from
Samuel Peters, £223; John Tally, £593; Sandford Fleming, £125 ;
Robert Inms, £110; Charles Fraser, £169; W. B. Leather, £293;
Geo. P. Leddy, £180 ; and William McClary, £195. The work was
awarded to Samuel Peters. In July W. W. Street resigned the office
of Treasurer (which he held for 12 years), when John Brown was ap-
pointed. In December the Council agreed to attend the funeral of
Geo. Lode, a late member. The gentlemen were also kind enough to
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 235
themselves to order "18 pairs of men's black kid gloves and crape,
and a sufficient quantity of white satin ribbon," so that they could at-
tend the funeral in state.
An act vesting a portion of Church street in the Board of Works
was approved June 14, 1853. John and William Carling, William T.
Eenwick and James S. Thompson were owners of certain lots bounded
on the west by Church street, and their petition, on which the act was
based, pointed out that Church street was rendered useless by the
opening of the new or Sarnia street ; that they received no compensa-
tion therefor ; and so it was ordered that the Board of Works sell to
the owners named that portion of Church street abutting their lots as
a consideration for their property appropriated to Sarnia street.
On Sept. 29, 1855, the Council granted £50 to celebrate the fall of
Sebastopol, and ordered the police, fire brigade and people to turn out.
Councillors Glass, Leonard, McBride, Schram, Carling and Kermott
were appointed to manage the affair. In October, 1855, the Governor-
General was officially received. In December a visit from the City
Council and Fire Department of Detroit, Mich., was frustrated by the
Great Western Eailway refusing to lower the regular fare. The Lon-
don Council consoled the would-be visitors with the promise that on
the completion of the London & Port Stanley Railroad they could
come to the Port by steamer and thence to London free.
Parks. — Sixty-two years ago London was all a park. For a decade
prior to 1826 the country at the Forks was known to some of the settlers
of the seven-mile-woods of Oxford, of the Buckwheat River settlement in
Dorchester, of Westminster, Delaware and London Townships. In
1816 Monseigneur Plessis, of Quebec, visited the place, with Rev. Mr.
Kelly and the Abbe Gauvreau, on their return from Sandwich ; but of
all who passed this way since Simcoe and his staff camped at the Forks,
not one, except Bishop Plessis, considered the beautiful place worth
notice. It was all a park, fit for the aborigines to dwell in ; their most
picturesque and one of their most profitable hunting grounds. The
surveyor came with his chain and axe, the spell of the wilderness was
removed, and the trees of a century began to disappear. Andrew
Yerex, who looked in on this scene in 1824, states that on his arrival
in the fall of 1824 the place where London now stands was a dense
forest, and only two concessions of Westminster were fairly settled.
The roads were scarcely more than trails through the woods, marked
by the blazed trees, which formed conspicuous landmarks along the
route. In fact there was but one line that could really be termed a
thoroughfare, that being the Longwoods road, or, as it was then termed,
Westminster street, although there was another road leading to St.
Thomas. That place was then called a village, and possessed some
importance, as it had about a dozen houses.
Little did the early inhabitants estimate the value of trees ; they
were an incumbrance, and their wholesale destruction was looked upon
with pleasure ; but with all the ravages of commercial progress one
.
236 HISTORY OF THE
little grove remained to receive as it were the first railroad train in
1853.° That year Alex. Tytler arrived here, and speaking of the old
forest, by the tongue of the Advertiser, in Oct., 1*88, he says :-—
" When*! came here there was no London East, no London South, nor
no London West. There were a few scattered houses over there, but
you could fire a cannon off from the top of the hill without the least
danger of doing any damage. Why, twenty or twenty five years ago
I helped to cut trees down on Dundas street. It's not so very long
ago since a group of trees grew on the corner of Talbot and Dundas
streets. I helped to clear them away."
The inhabitants of later days, however, learned of the loss sus-
tained through want of judgment in their predecessors. Thousands of
dollars had to be expended in an effort to secure for the residence streets
and parks of the present time suitable shade trees. Even the court-
house square, which the vandal officers of 1827-8 had cleared of the
old, old trees, so that they could chain their prisoners to the stumps,
had to be replanted, and a little while ago many of the great pines
which stood in Salter's grove had to give way to the Exposition build-
ings or to the race track. Never will pine grow here again like those
monarchs of the grove. From Carling's Creek to Wellington, a dense
pine forest existed — all buckwheat pine of young growth— until Thos.
Waters built his saw-mill above Hy man's present tannery.
Victoria Park was so named by the Governor-General, August 27,
1874. This park, says the Advertiser : — " Comprises about sixteen
acres, and is fast becoming, as the trees grow larger, one of the loveli-
est spots in the city. The site where it now stands originally belonged
to the Imperial Government, who reserved it for military purposes.
In 1837, when they were hurrying out troops to this country to sup-
press the rebellion, a long frame barracks was erected upon the ground
for their accommodation, and for many years after that British troops
were quartered therein. In time this immense barracks began to
decay, and the troops deserted it. It finally became an eyesore to the
city, and the resort for characters of the worst sort, who made a regu-
lar borough out of it for themselves. It gave the whole neighborhood
a name from which it took years to recover, and finally one night it
caught fire and was totally destroyed. This property, long before this
time, had been transferred from the Imperial to the Dominion Govern-
ment, and subsequently by the Dominion Government deeded to the
city of London. Victoria Park was then laid out, and in a few years
an unsightly commons with a tumble -down old barracks on it and
partially surrounded by a stump fence was transformed into the beauti-
ful place it now is. But when the park was laid out London was not
as large as it is now, nor had its residents such metropolitan ideas.
They were at that time very fond of allowing their cows, horses, pigs
and geese to roam at large, destroying what they pleased. Therefore
the Council in its wisdom had a high picket fence put up around the
park. In time this fence decayed and became an eyesore. For years
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
23T
the Advertiser called for its removal and advised the putting down of
straight walks from corner to corner, to stop people cutting pathways
through the grass. However, the Advertiser's views were too far
ahead of those of the Council to prevail at once, but in the end the
suggestions had to be acted upon. First the fences went down, and
this year Aid. Taylor at once saw the advantage of straight walks, and
had them cut out. The removal of the fences alone around Victoria
Park had the effect of raising the value of property in the neighbor-
hood very considerably. When the trees on it get a little larger, there
will probably not be another spot like it in the Province."
In December, 185G, St. James' Park was leased to Thomas Francis
under certain conditions for six years, which lease was extended in
1857 to ten years. In August, 1860, an item of £5 for the removal
of " Eussian guns " appears. In December, 1860, carriages were pre-
pared for them, and they were placed in position. In 1855 a resolu-
tion to fence the grounds deeded to the city for a public park by Col.
Burwell, was carried.
The Exhibition Grounds. — In April, 1878, Benj. Cronyn and 90
others petitioned the Council for leave to enclose Salter's Grove and
convert it into a public park. This petition was granted, and Recrea-
tion Park became an established fact. The name Queen's Park was
subsequently bestowed upon the ground. Speaking of this park, the
Advertiser, in its great issue of Oct. 29, 1888, says : — " While Victoria
Park by the art of man was transformed from an eyesore into a thing
of beauty, Queen's Park was made what it is by nature. Of course
nature has been aided and abetted of late years by the City Council,
but Queen's Park was purchased by the Council because of its natural
advantages. Before coming into possession of the corporation it
belonged to the late Dr. Salter, after whom it was called " Salter's
Grove." Some fifteen or eighteen years ago, when the fever for
parks struck London, it was purchased by the city for some $11,000.
It was then in the county, or what was generally known as London
East, although at that time London East was a small place. It has
proved a good investment, and the land which then cost $11,000
would in all likelihood now bring $30,000 or $40,000. At odd periods,
after its purchase spasmodic efforts of a costly character were made to
improve and beautify it, but without result. Fences were put up, a
circular half-mile race track built, a baud stand erected, and so on. It
was not, however, until the Western Fair was removed there that it&
improvement was gone about in a systematic manner. It will be re-
membered that the people by a large majority decided to sell the old
Fair Grounds in the northern part of the city. The people by another
vote rejected Carling's farm as a Fair site, and selected Queen's Park.
As a consequence, some $70,000 has been expended upon it in erecting
buildings and beautifying the grounds. A fine half-mile race track
has been graded on the eastern side. The grounds have been leveled r
and handsome buildings erected here and there. When the good work
23S HISTOKY OF THE
is completed London will have the finest fair grounds on the con-
tinent."
The city by-law establishing the Park is dated May 5. 1879, article
3 providing that Benjamin Cronyn, Andrew McCormick and William
H. Birrell be trustees of the Park ; and may fence, improve and erect
"buildings.
In June, 1868, the court-house grounds were granted to the city
for park purposes, the condition being that the grounds should be
planted with ornamental trees.
Bridges. — Up to 1826V and for some years later, when the settlers
found it necessary to cross the river, they had recourse to two bridges,
that being the total number then existing. One of these stood a little
below where the water- works machinery is now located at Spring-
bank, and was known as ", Garner's bridge." It was a rough, old-
fashioned structure, plainly but substantially constructed. The petition
was gotten up by Gardner and Eeynolds in 1824, and the bridge was
finished in 1825. Contemporary was the Byron bridge. There was no
» contractor, the people forming a bee, drawing the timber in the fall of
1824, and building the structure at once. Among the builders were
Duncan Mackenzie, Munroe, the blacksmith, Robert Summers, and
others. The bridge at Doty's was built up over the South Branch, near
the Dorchester line, about the year 1825. In the fall of 1826 West-
minster, or York street, was erected, and then Blackfriars. On Aug.
17, 1847, the question of rebuilding Wellington bridge was before the
Board, as the Inspector reported it dangerous. A bridge at the foot of
Kidout street was constructed in 1848. A debenture was issued to
Benjamin Gaman in December, 1849, for £96 6s. 2d., being 6 per
<jent. interest, for completing work on bridge and approaches, presum-
ably Wellington street. In February, 1831, Blackfriars' bridge was
completed, being the second bridge built at this point. In March,
1851, thanks were tendered to the persons who tried to save the bridge
at the foot of Ridout street during the freshet of Feb. 24 ; also to
Capt. Caddy for his exertions toward saving other bridges, while £1
was awarded Arthur Wallis, Loop Odell, Lyman Griffith and Wil-
liam Tibbs for saving Wellington street bridge. In August, 1851,
arrangements for rebuilding Blackfriars' bridge were made, and sewers
down York and Richmond street were constructed. The bridge over
Mill Creek, on Talbot street, was begun in August, 1852. The
Victoria Bridge Company were engaged in building their bridge in
July, 1854.
In September, 1871, the bridges over the Thames, one at the foot
of Dundas and one at the foot of Oxford street, were authorized and
$1,000 appropriated to each, to be paid as soon as a sufficient sum
would be subscribed for building either bridge. Victoria Bridge was
wholly swept away February 14, 1874. There, on July 21, Mrs. Van
Wormer and Miss Elliott were drowned. The great flood of July, 1882,
was first discovered by Mr. Thompson, of the Advertiser, at about two
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 239
o'clock in the morning. This did much damage in London West,
carrying away Kensington and Oxford street bridges, and drowning
about twelve persons.
The bridges round London have cost in the aggregate over $150,000
of hard cash, to put up. The most striking, of course, are the railway
bridges, of which there are three, two on the main line west of the city
and one on the Port Stanley branch. They are constructed entirely of
iron and stone, and are all some 300 or 400 feet in length. For
vehicle traffic there are seven iron bridges surrounding the city, viz.,
Clark's and Victoria to the south ; Westminster, Kensington, Black-
friars' and Oxford street to the west ; and Brough's to the north. The
bridge on Adelaide street north, which is wholly within the county,
is the only wooden structure in the neighborhood of London.
Sidewalks and Regulating Laws. — William Blinn attended school
in early years where the market house now stands, and later put in
the first street crossing from Douglass & Warren's store to the point
where the Mansion House is. In May, 1843, Benjamin Nash was
fined seven shillings for letting his house stand out thirteen feet on
Thames street. He was ordered to remove it within two weeks.
Under date of May 29, it is ordered " that the carpenter do inspect
the plank from Birrell's store west to Eidout street, thence up Eidout
street north to School-house Corner, and that he make the same
secure ; and any persons having cellar doors on the sidewalk may be
allowed to secure the same at their own expense, subject to the appro-
val of the carpenter." At this time the office of village carpenter was
filled by George Watson. The Fire Company's acccount amounted to
£5 19s. 3Jd., which amount was ordered to be paid to Wm. Till in
May. By-law No. 51 provided "that hereafter no cows shall be
milked, slopped, or otherwise fed on any of the sidewalks in the Town
of London."
At this time, June, John Balkwill was appointed pathmaster for
St. David's Ward, John Claris for St. George's, Samuel Peters for St.
Patrick's, and Eichard Frank for St. Andrew's. James C. Little was
fined seven shillings u for riding on the sidewalk " in July. Lawrence
Lawrason was taxed £3 3s. 9d. for sidewalk in front of his house.
From an order dated September 12, 1843, it appears that the streets
of the village were very primitive. This order provided " that the
water table be properly fixed on Eichmond street, between North and
Dundas street, and the drain on the east side be deepened and enlarged,
and a cross drain be made across Dundas street." The street inspector
ordered the platform in front of Colwell's chair factory on Eidout
street, and one on lot 15, north side of King street, to be removed in
October. A number of persons were fined in November, 1843, for riding
on the sidewalks, among whom was the popular Eev. Patrick O'Dwyer.
A sidewalk on the west side of Talbot street, from Dundas to King
street, was authorized in November, 1843. A plank sidewalk on King
street, from Clarence to Eichmond, was laid down in October, 1845.
16
240 HISTORY OF THE
In 1846 Hugh Stevenson petitioned to have a crossing place on Dun-
das street, opposite Thomas Craig's book store. A plank walk from
the Commissariat office to Wellington Bridge was authorized in April,
1847. In July, 1847, £300 were appropriated for improving the town.
Cemeteries. The first burial ground was that of St. Paul's, while
the Potter's Field was beyond the barracks. Another cemetery, just
west of Salter's Grove, on the south side of Dundas, was abolished
some years- ago.
Mount Pleasant Cemetery was established in 1874 as a public
cemetery. Samuel McBride was then secretary, and Wm. Saunders
treasurer of the Association.
Oakland Cemetery, on Francis street, is the parliamentary name of
the old Presbyterian or Proudfoot cemetery and that of the New Con-
nexion Methodist Society, just outside Mount Pleasant burial ground.
The Cemetery Company was formed in the spring of 1882, with John
Plummer, president ; Charles Elliott, secretary ; John Mills, treasurer ;
with Rev. Dr. Proudfoot, Eph. Plummer, Mnian Wilson, John Tanton
and J. Johnson, trustees, and Col. Moffatt, James Scale, D. Darvill
and Robert Reid, a committee on improvement, all forming the Board.
Mr. Webley was appointed caretaker, and work on the ornamentation
of the grounds was carried out by him.
Woodland Cemetery, a recent addition to the burial grounds of the
city, in Westminster, is well kept ; while old St. Paul's graveyard, long
since removed, was another of the fields where many early settlers
were laid to rest.
The first record of interment in the London Catholic Cemetery is
made under date August 18, 1850, when Felix McLaughlin, aged
about 60 years, was buried ; the funeral services being performed by
Rev. Thadeus Kirwan. In October, Michael Flood was buried there,
also Thomas O'Mara, aged 50 years ; Peter Logan, aged 44 years, and
James Bahan and James Christie, infants. The first interment in
Mount St. Peter's was that of John Kennedy, July 16, 1857. Up to
July 18, 1870, there were 929 burials in this cemetery, and since that
time up to August, 1888, 1,295 burials. In 1815 a burial ground was
established in Westminster on lands belonging to Peter McNames and
James Sheldon, which was donated by them. This old cemetery is on
Brick street, on the Commissioner's road, and is the resting place of
many pioneers of London and Westminster.
Streets (md Roadways. — Harding McConnell was paid £3 in
August, 1843, for cutting down a hill on Bathurst street, between
Ridout and Thames streets. At this time the question of "turnpik-
ing" east Bathurst street was reported favorably. In August, 1843,
William Frank was given the turnpike contract. Charles Hutchinson
was granted the contract for opening York street east to the reserve
from St. Paul's Church, the sum being £15 15s. Od. The road from
Wellington street east to the reserve from St. Paul's Church was
ordered to be opened and graded in Oct., 1843.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 241
On April 15, 1844, Engineer Zivouski reported the completion of
the plank road from Westminster bridge eastward to the town limits.
The Board complained of this short road, and a memorial to the
Board of Works, setting forth the impassable condition in which the
roads adjoining this plank road were left, and asking that the Port
Stanley road along York street to the Brantford plank road, at the end
of York street, on the new survey of the town, be finished at the ex-
pense of the district. This memorial the Board of Works denied.
£50 were granted for opening Wellington street from Dnndas to the
river ; £5 for removing the hill on North street leading from Bidout to
the river, and £5 toward improving the road at the end of Blackfriars
bridge were granted in June, 1844.
In July, 1844, Philo Bennett succeeded Whittirnore as Street
Inspector. At this time the Government was petitioned to grant lots
11 and 12, Bathurst street, and 11 and 12 on York street to the town,
for the purpose of extending the plank road and joining the Brantford
and Port Stanley plank roads at that point.
In May, 1845, Dennis O'Brien was authorized to have the hill
from his brick building on Dundas street to North street cut down.
Glenn was allowed 2| shillings " for gravel laid by him on Dundas
street," in 1847.
In June, 1848, the sum of £20 was appropriated for removing the
hills on Horton and Eidout streets in St. David's and St. Andrew's
Wards.
During the summer of 1848 the following streets were graded and
graveled : — Ridout and Richmond from Hitchcock street to Dundas,
and Talbot street from North to Dundas. The order provided for nine
inches of gravel on a strip sixteen feet wide. At this time several
new sidewalks were placed, and old ones repaired. The work of grading
and graveling streets was extended north and south of Dundas, and
east and west of Richmond ; hills were reduced. In July, no less than
£900 were appropriated for public improvements in the town ; the old
plank road was taken up and a new road bed put down ; new streets,
were opened and improved ; the court-house square was fenced, partly
by private subscription, and a general round of improvement marked
the progress of the village. Mr. McClary was superintendent of works.
On September 3, 1849, the whole of Burlington street from its inter-
section with Huron, including Mark Lane and part of Richmond street
to Dundas street, was granted to the London Proof Line Road Co., as
part of their road and terminus thereto, under certain conditions. In
March, 1856, Geo. Roulton asked the Council to order all houses to be
numbered. Owing to the irregular and scattered condition of the
houses, even on the best streets, the request was not granted. Roulton,
however, was empowered to take the census of the city ; but without
conditions as to pay. In July, 1866, the names of streets were ordered
to be placed on street corners, and all houses numbered.
On June 14, 1853, the act vesting portions of east York street,
242 HISTORY OF THE
east Bathurst and Wellington streets, in the Great Western Kailroad,
was assented to.
A petition for the election of Mayor by the inhabitants instead of
by the Council, was signed in January, 1853, and presented to the
Council.
Incorporation of London City. — The act of September 21, 1854,
provided that the Town of London be raised to the rank of a city, its
boundaries being thus described : — " All that part of the Province
situate within the County of Middlesex, and lying within the following
limits, that is to say : all the lands comprised within the old and new
surveys of the Town of London, together with the lands adjoining
thereto, lying between the said surveys and the Kiver Thames, pro-
ducing the northern boundary of the new survey until it intersects the
North Branch of the Eiver Thames, and producing the eastern boundary
line of the said new survey until it intersects the East Branch of the
River Thames, and the eastern boundary line be known as Adelaide
street." Within this tract seven wards were established, and the
charter election ordered to be held January 1, 1855. This charter was
signed at Quebec by P. J. 0. Chauvreau, secretary, and approved with
all the profuse phraseology of the time.
In September, 1854, the old Council referred to the failure of the
member for London to have the town proclaimed a city, and asked Thos.
Scatcherd, then representing West Middlesex, to have the act proclaimed
in the Gazette. This was accomplished, and on January 1 the elections
were duly held. The Mayors from this city from that period to 1863
are named as follows : — Murray Anderson, 1855 ; Wm. Barker, 1856 ;
Elijah Leonard, 1857; David Glass, 1858; Wm. McBride. 1859; Jas.
Moffatt, 1860 ; F. E. Cornish, 1861 to January, 1865.
The members of the Council from 1855 to 1862, inclusive, are
named in the following roll : —
For 1855— First Ward— Aldermen, Peter Schram and Jas. Moffatt ;
Councilmen, John Blair and B. Wheeler. Second Ward — Aldermen,
M. Anderson and Elijah Leonard; Councilmen, Wm. McBride and
Geo. M. Gunn. Third Ward — Aldermen, James Daniels and Joseph
Gibbons; Councilmen, Arthur Wallace and John Clegg. Fourth
Ward — Aldermen, R. Abernethy and J. W. Kermott ; Councilmen,
Frank Smith and David Glass. Fifth Ward — Aldermen, D. Lester
and Geo. G. Magee ; Councilmen, Thomas Carter and Robert Smith.
Sixth Ward— Aldermen, John Carling and Thomas Peel ; Councilmen,
Wm. Glen and P. Phipps. Seventh Ward— Aldermen, Wm. Barker
and Wm. Darby ; Councilmen, Robinson Orr and John Wells.
For 1856— First Ward— Aldermen, Peter Schram and Jas. Moffatt ;
Councilmen, John Blair and R. S. Talbot. Second Ward— Aldermen,
Elijah Leonard and Wm. McBride ; Councilmen, S. McBride and John
O'JSTeil. Third Ward— Aldermen, Marcus Holmes and David Glass ;
Councilmen, John Clegg and John A. Arnold. Fourth Ward— Alder-
men, Francis Smith and J. W. Kermott ; Councilmen, William Glass
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 243
and Wm. T. Kiely. Fifth Ward — Aldermen, Daniel Lester, and Geo.
G. Magee ; Councilmen, Eobert Smith, and James Hitchins. Sixth
Ward — Aldermen, John Carling and Thomas Peel ; Councilmen, P.
Phipps and Ed. Garratt. Seventh Ward — Aldermen, Wm. Barker and
S. Stansfield ; Councilmen, John Wells and Eobinson Orr.
For 1857 — First Ward — Aldermen, James Moffatt and James M.
Cousins ; Councilmen, John Blair and George Taylor. Second Ward
— Aldermen, Elijah Leonard and William McBride ; Councilmen, S.
McBride and John O'Neil. Third Ward — Aldermen, Marcus Holmes
and David Glass ; Councilmen, John Arnold and James Durand.
Fourth Ward — Aldermen, Francis Smith and R Abernethy ; Council-
men, W. T. Kiely and Wm. Glass. Fifth Ward— Aldermen, Daniel
Lester and H. Hunter ; Councilmen, Kobert Smith and Wm. Doty.
Sixth Ward — Aldermen, John Carling and Ed. Garratt ; Councilmen,
P. Phipps and Geo. Fitzgerald. Seventh Ward — Aldermen, S. Stans-
field and P. G. Norris ; Councilmen, John Eoss and E. Thompson.
For 1858 — First Ward — Aldermen, James Cousins and John Blair;
Councilmen, B. Wheeler and Eobert Gunn. Second Ward — Alder-
men, Wm. McBride and M. Anderson ; Councilmen, S. McBride and
John O'Neil. Third Ward — Aldermen, Marcus Holmes and David
Glass ; Councilmen, James Durand and John Cousins. Fourth Ward
— Aldermen, Francis Smith and John Griffith ; Councilmen, Jas. H.
Flock and Chas. Priddis. Fifth Ward — Aldermen, Eobert Smith and
Henry Eoots; Councilmen, Wm. Doty and Brock Stevens. Sixth
Ward — Aldermen, Ed. Garratt and P. Phipps; Councilmen, Wade
Owen and E. F. Matthews. Seventh Ward — Aldermen, P. G. Norris
and F. E. Cornish ; Councilmen, T. Partridge, jr., and M. Macnamara.
For 1859 — First Ward — Aldermen, James ' Moffatt and J. I. Mac-
kenzie : Councilmen, Chas. Stead and John Bonser. Second Ward —
Aldermen, S. McBride and Wm. Begg ; Councilmen, J. K. Brown and
James Gillean. Third Ward— Aldermen, T. H. Buckley and B. A.
Mitchell; Councilmen, James Eeid and David Hughes. Fourth
Ward — Aldermen, W. S. Smith and Jas. H. Flock ; Councilmen, A.
Hamilton and Ariel Tousby. Fifth Ward — Aldermen, Eobert Smith
and Geo. Webster; Councilmen, D. McPherson and Jesse Eapley.
Sixth Ward — Aldermen, Ed. Garratt and P. Phipps ; Councilmen,
Wade Owen and John Christie. Seventh Ward — Aldermen, F. E.
Cornish and T. Partridge, jr. ; Councilmen, M. Macnamara and Thos.
O'Brien.
For 1860 — First Ward — Aldermen, J. I. Mackenzie and Charles
Stead ; Councilmen, B. Wheeler and A. Campbell. Second Ward —
Aldermen, S. McBride and Wm. Begg ; Councilmen, James Gillean
and Wm. Pope. Third Ward— Aldermen, T. H. Buckley and C. D.
Holmes ; Councilmen, David Hughes and J. J. Spettigue. Fourth
Ward — Aldermen, Jas. H. Flock and H. Stevenson ; Councilmen, John
Griffith and Alex. Murray. Fifth Ward — Aldermen, Eobt. Smith and
J. W. McGauley ; Councilmen, D. McPherson and J. W. Eapley.
I
244 HISTORY OF THE
Sixth Ward — Aldermen, Ed. Garratt and P. Phipps ; Councilmen,
Wade Owen and John Christie. Seventh Ward — Aldermen, F. E.
Cornish and John Ross ; Councilmen, T. Partridge, jr., and Thomas
O'Brien.
For 1861— First Ward— Aldermen, Charles Stead and J. M.
Cousins ; Councilmen, B. Wheeler and John Bonser. Second Ward —
Aldermen, Samuel McBride and William Pope ; Councilmen, J. B.
3myth and Wm. Divinny. Third Ward — Aldermen, C. D. Holmes
and Ed. Heathfield ; Councilmen, David Hughes and J. J. Spettigue.
Fourth Ward — Aldermen, Jas. H. Flock and H. Stevenson ; Council-
men, John Griffith and Alex. Murray. Fifth Ward — Aldermen, D.
McPherson and D. Macfie; Councilmen, J. W. Rapley and S. H.
Graydon. Sixth Ward — Aldermen, P. Phipps and Thomas Peel ;
Councilmen, Wade Owen and James Griffiths. Seventh Ward —
Aldermen, P. G. Norris and T. Partridge, jr. ; Councilmen, Thomas
O'Brien and R Thompson.
For 1862— First Ward— Aldermen, Charles Stead and B. Wheeler;
Councilmen, Wm Johnson and James Deadman. Second Ward —
Aldermen, S. McBride and Wm. Pope ; Councilmen, John B. Smyth
and Wm. Devinny. Third Ward — Aldermen, C. D. Holmes and J. J.
Spettigue ; Councilmen, David Hughes and Walter Nichol. Fourth
Ward — Aldermen, H. Stevenson and John Ross ; Councilmen, A. Mc-
Cormick and Alex. Murray. Fifth Ward — Aldermen, D. McPherson
and D. Macfie ; Councilmen, J. W. Rapley and S. H. Graydon. Sixth
Ward— Aldermen, P. Phipps and Thomas Peel ; Councilmen, Wade
Owen and John Christie. Seventh Ward— Aldermen, T. Partridge, jr.,
and Thomas O'Brien; Councilmen, Wm, Waud and R. Thompson.
Financial Transactions.— In June, 1843, a number of residents
were summoned for not making a true return, or no return, of rateable
property. Among them were :— Hall, of the 14th Regiment; Joseph
Sheurman, Alex. Gordon, John Nervul, Richard Smith, S. Morrill,
George Pringle, Samuel Crawford, Wm. Reddick, Geo. Thomas, Thos.
Craig, James Macklin, Wm. Percival, A. Newlands, Robert Morrill,
Jerry H. Joyce, Geo. James, Win. O'Rielly, Henry McCabe, Samuel
Bond, Finlay Perrin, James Bowen, Charles Brown, Jas. Pendleton,
Mr. Bernally, of Royal Engineers; Chas. Hutchinson, Jas. McFadden
and James B. Merrill.
During the month of August, 1843, a number of residents were
fined for non- performance of statute labor. Joseph Goodwin had to
pay 21 shillings.
Among a number summoned before the Board to show why they
d not pay the taxes of 1842-3, was Lieut.-Col. Pritchard, who -was
2o£ shillings, and George Washington, 34£ shillings. The
amount of collection roll for year ending Jan. 1, 1846, was £654 7s ,
Dt^wnich £DO 3s. Id. are credited to absentees, £34 Is. to taxes remit-
and £9 15s. 6d. bad debts, leaving the net amount collected
7s. 5d.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 245
In November, 1848, a note of £450, issued by the Council, but
negotiated by the Bank of Montreal for individual members of the
Council, fell due. The funds were so low that the Mayor, with Coun-
cillors Barker, Dimond and Bennett, were deputed to wait on Manager
Hamilton, of the Bank of Upper Canada, and borrowed from him a
sum sufficient to meet the debt then due.
In the fall of 1849 two sets of debentures, each for £300, were
authorized to meet drafts due the Bank of Montreal and the Bank of
Upper Canada. On Oct. 15, Councillors Barker and Daniel proposed
to pledge £20,000 toward the construction of the Great Western Rail-
road. In September, 1850, the subscription was raised to £25,000.
In March, 1850, the sum of £2,000 was borrowed by the town
from the Bank of Montreal; £1,000 payable in October following and
£1,000. in October, 1851.
The assessment on which taxes were to be collected in July, 1851,
yielded only £2,041 13s. 4d. At this time the Treasurer held £673,
making, with other items, the assets £2,714 13s. 4d. The liabilities
were :— Debt, £2,000 ; required for schools, £787 10s ; for salaries, £240;
for fire department, £50 ; and to fire department in lieu of statute
labor, £400, aggregating £3,477 10s. The deficit was £762 16s. 8d.
In March, 1852, debentures for £360 were authorized, being the
amount of the town's share of expense in the building of Blackfriars
bridge. On March 22 a by-law providing for the issue of debentures
for £5,000 was passed. This sum was necessary to pay debts and
make necessary improvements.
The debt of London, July 1, 1852, amounted to £7,647 14s. 5d,,
while the assests were only £791. This sum, with Jth of a penny
on the valuation, £2,841 15s. Od, with debentures for seven and ten
years, £4,014 19s. 5d., would satisfy the debt. In January, 1852,
debentures for £2,000 were authorized.
A review of the debenture debt of London in August, 1853, shows
£5,000 issued in 1852, to consolidate old debts and for building school
house ; £5.500 for drains on King and Dundas streets ; £2,000 for en-
largement of Covent Garden Market ; £2,000 for drains on Richmond,
Dundas and Clarence streets ; £900 for Firemen's Hall ; £20,000 for
enlargement of Covent Garden Market and erection of Town Hall and
Market House ; £6,500 for drains on York and Richmond streets ;
£25,000 to Great Western Railroad Co. ; £25,000 to London & Port
Stanley Railroad ; £2,500 to London Gas Co., aggregating £94,400.
The liabilities to June, 1854, amounted to £27,871 11s
The expenditures of the town of London for the year ending Dec.,
1854, were £74,101 13s. lid. This included £50,000 paid to the
Port Stanley Railroad Co. The amount required to meet expenses for
1854-5 was £5,881 12s. lid. This sum included £2,514 interest due
on £41,900 debentures within that period. The expenses for 1855
amounted to £14,831 14s. Od. For the year 1856, they were £38,385
5s. 4d., together with £5,300 paid the county as the award of arbitrators.
246 HISTORY OF THE
The act of July 1, 1856, empowered the city to borrow £63,000 to con-
solidate the debt and for other purposes. A by-law to provide for the
issue of £63,000 debentures was passed September 16, 1856 ; the
object being to consolidate the city debt. The words dollars and cents
are made use of for the first time in the city records of January 25,
1858. At this time the firemen asked the Council to grant $5 to the
fire company first reported at a fire.
The estimates for the fiscal year 1858-9 called for £20,824. The
total liabilities of the city in August, 1860, were placed at £49,050,
and the estimate of expenditures for 1861 was placed at $110,866.
In 1 863, D. Macfie, chairman of finance committee, reported that
" a loss having already been sustained this year, owing to the resolu-
tion come to by this Council to take silver at par, or its face value,
from the market clerk, as well as in payment of taxes : your committee
would now recommend this Council not to take silver for or on account
of any debt whatsoever due to the city, at any rate higher than that
allowed by the banks." The estimates for 1864 were $92,002.
The estimates for expenses during the fiscal year 1866-7 were
placed at $94,760.
The debentures sold in 1872 under the Consolidated Act amounted
to $50,000; in 1873, to $3,500; in 1874, $54,600, and, in 1875,
$114,366.74, or a total of $225,466.74. Seven per cents, to retire six
per cents to Church Society due in 1876, were issued for $80,266.66 ;
while $486,068.63 issued to Government under municipal loan, and
$100,000 to the London & Bruce Railroad, aggregated $891,802.03,
issued from 1872 to June, 1875. The total debentures to be provided
for in 1876 and 1877 amounted to $194,055.50. The interest for two
years reached $135,786.56.
Port Stanley Railroad Dealings. — In January, 1853, Murray
Anderson and John Carling moved that the Mayor call a meeting to
consider the question of building a railroad to Port Stanley.
In August, 1853, the town decided to take £25,000 stock in the
London & Port Stanley Railroad Company.
In April, 1856, George G. Magee reported to the Council that the
counties of Middlesex and Elgin having refused to take stock in the
London & Port Stanley Railroad, the town of St. Thomas refused to
take any active part, and London having invested £93,850 in the
road, it became a necessity to render further aid, and recommended the
£28,000 in debentures, now ready, together with £5,000 in cash, to be
given to the directors.
The London & Port Stanley Railroad was opened October 2, 1856.
£300 were appropriated to celebrate the event and entertain the
American visitors.
On January 27, 1857, a further sum of £30,000 was granted to
the London & Port Stanley Railroad.
In 1857 charges were preferred against the Mayor and Mr. Bow-
man in connection with the London & Port Stanley Railroad, and a
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 247
resolution to inquire into them passed by the Council. The inquiry
was instituted, and a committee, of which P. N. Norris was chairman,
reported fully on the subject.
Early in 1858 Charles Hutchinson asked the Council what amount
would the city accept for its claim on the Port Stanley road. P. N.
Norris, of the Eailroad Committee, replied that the total claims were
£162,850, and would be sold for £150,000, On February 25, Mr.
Hutchinson replied that it would be madness for the Council to seek a
purchaser under the circumstances.
A Few Transactions. — Municipal loans were granted under the
16 Viet., Cap. 22, as amended by the 18 Viet., Cap. 13, 1854, from the
£1,500,000 set apart as the Upper Canada Municipal Loan Fund. Of
this sum the Town of London took £93,850. In December, 1855, the
great arbitration took place between the county and city, in re their
financial relations after the division of Jan. 1. Thomas Movie repre-
sented the county ; Wm. Barker, the city, and Thomas Shenston, of
Woodstock, common justice. They awarded one-fifth of the stock held
in the Port Stanley and the Great Western Ptailroads ($20,000) to
the city, which was transferred July 5, 1857, and sold by the city to
liquidate the taxes of that year. In this deal nothing was said about
interest, and as the stock was issued by the county, the county was
liable for interest on the $20,000, which by June, 1859, amounted to
a large sum. The case was carried to the courts, and Justice Draper
decided that Middlesex County should pay interest on $20,000 for 14
years, at the rate of six per cent., although the new city had the money
in its possession. It is said Frank Cornish carried this case through :
whether justice was dealt in the affair is another question.
The question of aiding railroads, amount of aid, and other questions-
relating to the financial and executive history of the city, from 1855
to the close of 1862, are referred to under direct headings in this
chapter, while in the history of the county matters, in which London
and Middlesex were concerned, other interesting items find mention.
Appointments. — John Doyle was appointed Clerk of the City and
of the Police and Recorder's Court, at a salary of £200 per annum, iu
1855. Dr. John Wanless and Dr. J. A. Nelles were appointed cor-
oners of the city ; John Brown, city chamberlain ; A. S. Abbott, col-
lector; McBride, inspector of weights and measures; and Samuel
Peters, engineer. In 1858 Mr. Doyle resigned, when A. S. Abbott,
the present clerk, was appointed. In 1856 Francis Smith was appoint-
ed Chief Engineer of Fire Department, with John Craig and A. S.
Abbott assistants. A. S. Abbott was collector. Dr. A. A. Andrews was
appointed medical attendant for the temporary hospital and city, to
which Dr. Moore had attended previously. In December, 1858, the
question of providing an office for City Assessor McG ill was considered.
Council and Transactions, 1863-88. — The names of members
and transactions of the Council from the beginning of 1863 to the close
of 1879 appeared in the 25th anniversary issue of the Advertiser*
*E. A. Hutchinson, writer.
248 HISTORY OF THE
and to that journal credit is now given for the following review :— " It
must be remembered that when this place received its charter of in-
corporation in 1855 it was divided into seven wards, and each ward
was represented by two aldermen and two councillors. All were on
a level in the Council Chamber, but an alderman possessed a few
privileges more than a councillor, such as being a magistrate. In
1863 A. S. Abbott, the present popular city clerk, held the same
position he does now. John Brown was chamberlain, and William
Robinson was city engineer. Frank Cornish was mayor of the city,
and the Council comprised the following gentlemen : — Aldermen —
Chas. Stead, Barnabas Wheeler, Samuel McBride, Wm. Begg, Calvin
D. Holmes, J. J. Spettigue, John Eoss, Hugh Stevenson, Daniel
Macfie, Simpson H. Gray don, Paul Phipps, Thomas Peel, Thomas
Partridge arid Thomas O'Brien. Councilmen — Wm. Johnston, James
Deadman, John B. Smyth, Oswald Baynes, David Hughes, Walter
Nichol, Alex. Murray, Andrew McCormick, Jesse W. Rapley, John
Harrison, John Christie, Wade Owen, Richard Thompson and Wm.
Waud.
The first important step of the Council of 1863 was to draft a
memorial to both Houses of Parliament, asking for a grant towards
maintaining an enlarged hospital in London. The application did not
then prove successful, but in the end it bore good fruit, and secured
London its present first-class institution. The Council commenced the
year with a splurge. One of the first items of business was brought
up by Councillor Nichol, who charged an assessor with wrongfully
assessing his own property. In those days property was assessed by
the rental, and not by the actual value. Nichol charged that the
assessor put in receipts showing the rental of a certain piece of pro-
perty to be $48, whereas it was actually $66. The assessor resigned.
There had been serious rumors afloat, even at that early day, about
Chamberlain John Brown's books, and a special committee was ap-
pointed to investigate them, together with the recorder. They reported
everything all right, although it afterwards turned out that there were
serious shortages at that very time. The Council of 1863 were also
first to introduce a fire limits by-law, which prevented the erection of
frame buildings between King and North (now Queen's avenue)
streets. The sensation of the year, however, was an assault com-
mitted by Mayor Cornish on Major Bowles, which led to the with-
drawal of the British garrison from London. Rumors were afloat about
Bowles arid Mrs. Cornish, and Bowles one night at mess, while full of
wine, boasted that the rumors were true. The statement was almost
immediately conveyed to Cornish, who set out on the war path, and
finding Bowles in the Tecurnseh House, publicly thrashed him. The
total expenses for running the city in 1863 were $82,294.67, of which
$57,446 had to be raised by taxation only.
In 1864 Mayor Cornish was re-elected, together with the following
Council :— Aldermen— Charles Stead, Barnabas Wheeler, Samuel Me-
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
249
Bride, James Gillean, J. J. Spettigue, David Hughes, John Boss, Alex.
Murray, Daniel Macfie, Dugald McPherson, Paul Phipps, Thomas Peel,
Thomas Partridge and Thomas O'Brien. Councilmen — Wm. Johnston,
James Deadman, John B. Smyth, Oswald Baynes, Wm. Platt, John
Tibbs, Hewitt Fysh, James Percival, Jesse W. Kapley, Thomas Brown,
Wade Owen, John Christie, Martin Macnamara and W. Y. Brunton.
Aid. McPherson died within a few days after his election, and the
members of the Council wore mourning for him for one month. Wil-
liam Williams was elected in his stead.
Some idea of the primitive condition of London may be gleaned
from the fact that at this time London had five constables only, each
getting $250 a year, and the chief who headed this force, received the
munificent sum of $300. Early in 1864, on the motion of Mr. Brun-
ton, forty citizens were sworn in to act as special constables at fires,
the regular force being unequal to a task of this magnitude. During
1864 a number of incendiary fires occurred, and the Council offered
$200 for the capture of the "fire bug," but it had no effect. The next
sensation was the shortage of Wm. Oakley, one of the collectors, in his
accounts. Mr. Oakley gave up all his property, and his sureties, E.
J. Parke and D. M. Thompson, paid the city's claim. Then the cele-
brated row between the Council and School Board took place. The
School Board asked for $9,000, and the Council allowed them $8,000.
The trustees kicked, but it was no use, so they applied to the Judges
at Toronto to compel the Council to pay them the $9,000. It was
then towards the end of the year, and before the application was argued
a new Council was elected, who gave up the dispute, paid the $1,000,
and the case dropped.
The year 1865 opened in a stormy manner. Frank Cornish and
David Glass were the candidates for mayor. The election was so riot-
ous, that Mr. Glass demanded a second day's poll and the calling out
of the volunteers to protect his voters. Then on the 3rd of January,
1865, London witnessed something she has never seen since. Armed
troops surrounded every polling booth in the city. Mr. Glass was
elected on the second day's polling. Col. Shanly, who commanded the
volunteers, billed the Council for $282.60, and there was considerable
row before it was paid, as the majority of the aldermen believed there
was no necessity for any display of strength. The account was finally
paid under protest. The Council this year comprised the following
gentlemen : — Aldermen — Barnabas Wheeler, Jas. M. Cousins, Samuel
McBride, John Campbell, David Hughes, John Cousins, John Eoss,
Alex. Murray, Daniel Macfie, James Williams, Thomas Peel, John
Christie, Thomas Partridge, sen , Thomas Partridge, jun. Councilmen
— Wm. Johnston, James Deadman, John B. Srnyth, Oswald Baynes,
Jas. Keid, John W. Cryer, Hewitt Fysh, James Percival, J. W. Kapley,
T. Browne, Wade Owen, S. Screaton, M. Macnamara and W. C. L.
Gill. Petitions were by this Council sent to the Legislature, asking for
a central prison and a military school of instruction here, but they
bore no fruit.
250 HISTORY OF THE
London was overrun with burglars this year, and so bad did they
become, that the city offered a reward of $200 for the capture of any
one of them. The police were altogether unequal to the task, and
finally the citizens formed a vigilance committee, and patrolled the
streets every night. In the fall of 1865 the Grammar and Public
Schools were united, and the Council appointed, as its representatives
on the Board of Education, Wade Owen and Dr. C. G. Moore.
In 1866 David Glass was re-elected Mayor, and the following gen-
tlemen constituted the Council: — Aldermen — Barnabas Wheeler,
Edward Glackmeyer, Samuel McBride, John Campbell, David Hughes,
John Cousins, Alex. Murray, John Eoss, Daniel Macfie, Daniel Lester,
John Christie, Thomas Peel, Thomas Partridge, jr., Thomas Partridge,
sr. Councillors — James Deadman, Emanuel Pavey, John B. Smyth,
Oswald Baynes, James Keid, John W. Over, James Percival, Hewitt
Fysh, Jesse W. Kapley, George Burdett, Wade Owen, Samuel Screaton,
Martin Macnamara and W. C. L. Gill.
This was the year that the agitation in favor of city waterworks
first commenced, and the Council early in February appointed a com-
mittee to ascertain if a supply could be drawn from Pond Mills.
About this time, too, a dog mania sprung up and reached such propor-
tions that the Mayor issued a proclamation ordering all dogs within
the city limits to be restrained or muzzled. The year 1866 is memor-
able, also, as that of the Fenian Kaid. The British troops, which had been
withdrawn from here in 1864, were returned in the fall of 1865 in
anticipation of the raid. The following spring they were sent to the
front, as were also the Seventh Battalion, the London Field Battery
and the London Troop of Cavalry. The citizens at once got into a
panic, alleging that they were left at the mercy of the Fenians. The
Government was petitioned for more regular troops, and, on the advice
of Col. Bruce, the City Council took the initiative in the formation of
the famous " Home Guard." However, the danger drifted past, and on
June 11 " the boys " returned from the front and were banqueted by
the city at a cost of $357. In the fall of this year Lawrence Lawra-
son was appointed first Police Magistrate of the city of London, at a
salary of $1,250.
In the year 1867 W. Simpson Smith was elected Mayor for a two-
years' term, and the Municipal Act was amended so as to do away
with councillors altogether, three aldermen being returned for each
ward. The chosen of the people were : — Barnabas Wheeler, Edward
Glackmeyer, Andrew McCormick, Samuel McBride, John Campbell,
John B. Smyth, David Hughes, John Cousins, James Durand, Alex.
Murray, Hewitt Fysh, Wm. S. Smith, Daniel Lester, Simpson H.
Graydon, Eobert Smith, John Christie, Thomas Peel, Francis Smith,
Thos. Partridge, sr., Thos. Partridge, jr., and James Egan.
James Durand, having been elected an alderman, resigned his posi-
tion as chief engineer of the fire brigade, and Samuel Stewart was
appointed in his place. Firewood had become very scarce around the
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
251
city and had gone up to some $6 or $8 per cord. Charles Hunt and
Thomas Swinyard, directors of the Great Western Kailroad, were pub-
licly thanked by the Council when they obtained a supply from Both-
well, which greatly reduced the price. This year's Council appointed
as one of the assessors the man who a few years before had been
impeached by an investigating committee for wrongfully assessing his
own property. In June the Council bought a steam fire engine,
but still continued the volunteer system. The fire engine was manned
by fifty citizens, each one of whom received the munificent salary of
$5 per annum.
But the great sensation of 1867 was caused by " Slippery Jack."
Although he never stole anything, he made himself so dreaded by
entering people's houses and frightening them, that the Council offered
$100 reward for the capture of " the midnight marauder or burglar,
known as ' Slippery Jack.' "
Another sensation was caused by a Police Court case in which
the Council took a hand. It seems that an officer of the garrison
named Capt. Hughsou hired a carpenter to do some work. The
carpenter finished the work, and called at the Captain's front door
with the bill. The Captain said he wasn't used to having mechanics
present their bills to him at the front door, and kicked the carpenter
out, and slammed the door after him. Hughson was summoned, but
the Police Magistrate let him off on the ground of ignorance of the
by-law. Aid. Hughes appealed the case to the Recorder's Court, and
the City Council guaranteed the costs. The city, as usual, was beaten
in the end.
In 1868 only one Alderman from each ward retired, the others
remaining in office for two or three years respectively, according to the
act. Andrew McCormick retired in No. 1 Ward, and was re-elected ;
John Campbell in No. 2, and he was also re-elected ; in No. 3, Aid.
Cousins retired, and was replaced by Wm. Farris ; in No. 4, Alex.
Murray was re-elected ; in No. 5, Murray Anderson replaced Daniel
Lester, and in No. 6 John Christie, and in No. 7 Aid. Egan were both
re-elected.
A report to the Council showed that the earnings of the
London & Port Stanley Kailroad for 1867, had been $42,759.91,
against $39,108.25; increase for the year, $3,651.66. The total
liabilities against the company in 1868 were $596,800. This was the
time the question of handing the Port Stanley over to the Great
Western Railway was first mooted. Aid. F. Smith resigned in March,
and George Macbeth was elected in his stead. About this time, too,
the people began to ask for a park, and a committee to select a site
was appointed, with Aid. Egau as chairman. The site they picked
out was the property bounded by Piccadilly street on the north, Car-
ling's Creek on the south, the Sarnia Road (Richmond street) on the
west, and Wellington street on the east. The absurdity of this site
for a public park is apparent now to everyone. The city then was
I
252 HISTORY OF THE
one-third smaller than at present, and that property was much more
out of the way in 1868 than even now. The recommendation is per-
haps explained when it is stated that most of the land to be bought
was designed for park purposes. However, the Council of 1868 were
pretty independent, and rejected the committee's report. Further than
that, when it was tried to get a bill through the Legislature to
sell the Port Stanley to the Great Western Eail way, they sent a depu-
tation down to the House, and succeeded in defeating the bill. The
only other event of importance this year was the final withdrawal of
regular troops from London.
In the year 1869, all the old members of the Council whose turn
it was to retire, were re-elected as follows : — Barnabas Wheeler, John
B. Smyth, Walter Nichol, Hewitt Fysh, Simpson H. Graydon, George
Macbeth and Thomas Partridge, sen. The Council selected John
Christie as Mayor, but in about a month he got tired of the office and
resigned. Mr. S. H. Graydon was elected by the Council to fill the
vacancy. It was in 1868 the Western Fair Board was organized, and
in 1869 the City Council voted $2,000 towards the erection of suitable
buildings. The citizens also responded liberally, but all the County
Council would give was $500. Miss Eye visited London in the sum-
mer, and was entertained as the guest of the corporation. On the 13th
of September His Koyal Highness Prince Arthur, His Excellency the
Governor- General, and some other distinguished " nabobs " came to
London, and were rapturously received. The Council on the occasion
voted $200 for a procession of the fire brigade and fireworks. Col. J.
B. Askin died in this year, and the Council passed a resolution of
regret at the occurrence.
By far the most important matter, however, that came before the
people in 1869, was the railway agitation. J. G. Thompson applied
for a charter for Thompson's air line through Southern Ontario, while
the Great Western applied for another charter for the Canada air line.
The Council of London decided to oppose both ; but a public meeting
of citizens declared they would take the least of two evils, and decided
to oppose the Canada air line, and let the other go through. Hon.
John Carling, however, with his usual deep interest in public improve-
ments, ignored both resolutions and supported the Canada air line,
and opposed Thompson's. Both charters went through the House,
though, and as a result the County of Elgin has the roads to-day. The
lot for the present city registry office was purchased from D. Glass.
In 1870 the first matter recorded in the Council minutes is the
decision of the Council to attend the funeral of the late Hon. G. J.
Goodhue in a body on the 13th of January. The elections this year
resulted in the return of James M. Cousins, Samuel McBride, David
Hughes, Henry B. Strong, Jesse W. Rapley, Thos. Peel and Thomas
Partridge, jr. Mr. S. H. Graydon was re-elected Mayor. It turned
out that Mr. Rapley wasn't properly qualified, and he resigned.
Daniel Lester was elected in his stead.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
253
Fuel became so scarce that the London & Port Stanley Railroad
drew it into the city and sold it by the cord at cost. No citizen could
get more than a cord at a time, and as a result the price of fuel fell 25
per cent., and the Council publicly thanked the directors for their
consideration. Trouble broke out in the Phoenix Fire Company, and
charges were made against its chief. They were not sustained, and as
a result the committee decided to disband the company and reorganize
it. No less than two aldermen died this year, viz., Aid. Strong and
Aid. Macbeth, the latter very suddenly. Thos. McCormick replaced
the first-named in No. 4 Ward, and John Williams the latter in No.
6. Aid. Egan made another attempt to get the park located north of
Great Market street, but failed. Aid. Campbell, however, got a com-
mittee appointed to negotiate for the present site of Victoria Park. In
1870, too, the construction of the London, Huron & Bruce Railroad
was first mooted.
In 1871 there was another change in the mode of election, and
instead of one of the three aldermen from each ward retiring each year,
all went out of office. The new Council comprised James M. Cousins,
Andrew McCormick, Duncan C. Macdonald, John B. Smyth, John
Campbell, Joseph Jeffery, Francis E. Cornish, William Starr, John
Woods, Hewitt Fysh. Thomas McCormick, Samuel Barker, Simpson H.
Gray don, Jesse W. Rapley, Benj. Shaw, John Christie, Thomas Peel,
John Williams, Thos. Partridge, jr., Thos. Partridge, sr., and Jas. Egan.
Aid. J. M. Cousins was elected Mayor by the Council. By a vote of
the people $100,000 bonus was given towards the construction of the
London, Huron & Bruce Railroad. The Council had this year to pass
a resolution of regret at the death of Simeon Morrill, first Mayor of
the town of London. A bubble which burst in London at this time
was the Charing Cross Hotel. It was to be an immense sanitarium
near the Forks, at the Sulphur Springs. Its projector, Mr. Dunnett,
invited the Council to attend the corner-stone laying, and fixed a date.
The corner-stone was laid, but afterwards the project fell through. It
was in this year that the Council let the London & Port Stanley Rail-
road practically pass into the hands of the Great Western. Among
other transactions in connection with this deal was the transference
of $70,000 worth of London & Port Stanley Railroad bonds to W. P.
R. Street for $3,500. The late Bishop Cronyn died ou the 22nd of
September, and the Council suitably honored his memory.
In 1872 the election returns placed the following gentlemen in
office : — James M. Cousins, Duncan C. Macdouald, James Moffat,
John B. Smyth, John Campbell, Samuel McBride, Wm. Starr, John
Woods, Arch. McPhail, Hewitt Fysh, Samuel Barker, Alex. Murray,
Simpson H. Gray don, Benj. Shaw, Jesse W. Rapley, John Christie,
John Williams, Benjamin Cronyn, Thos. Partridge, jr., Thos. Partridge,
sr., and James Egan. Aid. Campbell was elected Mayor by the
Council.
The first piece of business was a strong resolution brought in by
254 HISTORY OF THE
Aid. Moffat and Smith, condemning all who had anything to do with
the sale of the bonds to Mr. Street, and proposing legal proceedings
to recover them. The resolution did not pass. It was in this year
and in consequence of this deal that the Council introduced the system
of holding secret meetings, a practice which lasted until public opinion
became so strong it had to be abolished. But by far the most startling
event that occurred in this city in 1872 was the abduction of Dr. E.
Bratton, a Confederate refugee. He was wanted in the States, and an
American detective located him in London. He obtained the aid of a
citizen and seized the doctor one night while on his way home, gagged
him, had a cab ready and drove with him to the station, took a train
there and soon had the unfortunate refugee on American soil, passing
him off' on the way as a lunatic who needed restraint. The city Coun-
cil at once held an indignation meeting on hearing of the case, and
ordered the Mayor to lay the matter before the Crown. This was
done, with the result that Bratton was returned to British territory,
and the parties in Canada who had a hand in the abduction punished,
one getting a couple of years' imprisonment. The latter is now a resi-
dent, of Essex county, while the other still resides in London. The
Council minutes of this year contained a resolution of regret at the
death of Hon. John Sandfield Macdonald. Lord Dufferin, Governor-
General, visited London in the fall of the year, during the Western
Fair, and vast crowds came from all parts of Western Ontario to see
him. Ex-Mayor Marcus Holmes died in the fall of 1872, and the
Council paid due respect to his memory.
In 1873 the Council comprised J. M. Cousins, D. C. Macdonald, J.
B. Smyth, S. McBride, Arch. McPhail, L. C. Leonard, Thomas Browne,
James Mofifatt, Jesse W. Eapley, John Christie, John Williams, Benj.
Cronyn, Thos. Patridge, jun., S. H. Graydon, Andrew McCormick, B.
Shaw, James Egan, John Beattie, Alex. Murray, Thos. Partridge, sen.,
and Wm. Stan-. Andrew McCormick was elected Mayor. A motion
by Aid. Macdonald, seconded by Aid. Smyth, asking the Legislature to
amend the law so as to elect Mayors of ^cities by direct vote of the
people, carried, and bore good fruit.
Nothing of importance occurred municipally during the year,
•except some trouble in the fire department, which resulted in the
resignation of D. Bruce and the suspension of Chief Wastie, who was,
however, soon after reinstated.
In 1874 the Mayor was elected by a direct vote of the people, and
Mr. B. Cronyn was the successful man. The Council was composed
of D. C. Macdonald, Col. Moffatt, E. Pritchard. John Beattie, James
Cowan, T. F. Kingsmill, Win. Starr, Arch. McPhail, Wm. Farris,
Alex. Murray, L. C. Leonard, C. W. Andrus, Jesse W. Eapley, Geo.
G. Magee, John Kearns, John Christie, John Williams, Col." Lewis,
Thomas Partridge, sen., Thomas Patridge, jun., and J. E. Peel. This
year the city succeeded in obtaining the Ordnance lands and old
buildings thereon from the Government by deeds. Some excitement
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 255
was caused in July, 1874, by another row in the fire brigade, in which
some of the Aldermen took a hand During August, Lord and Lady
DufYerin paid a flying visit to the city, lasting simply over night, and
the cost of entertaining them amounted to $1,395.50.
In 1875 Mayor Cronyii was re-elected, and the Council consisted of
Aldermen Pritchard, Smyth, Macdonald, James Cowan, A. B. Powell,
Phillips, Starr, Farris, Leonard, Hiscox, Abbott, Bunn, Browne, Eapley,
Williams, Lewis, Egan, Partridge, jr., Partridge, sr., and Christie.
The erection of iron bridges around the city was commenced this
year, Blackfriars being the first. In the early part of February John
Birrell died, and the Council passed a suitable motion of condolence.
In 1875 the fire brigade was put on a regular permanent basis, Thos.
Wastie being appointed chief, " to devote his whole time to the city's
service," at a salary of $800 per annum. Aid. Farris died in July, and
Aid. D unbar was elected to the vacancy. The City Hospital was
completed in 1875 and opened by the Lieutenant-Go vernor of the Pro-
vince. What will seem strange to the average citizen now, several
motions to sell Victoria Park oft' in building lots were actually made
in the Council, but defeated. A vote for a water- works system resulted
in the defeat of the by-law this year.
In 1876 D. C. Macdonald was elected Mayor, with the following
Council . — Aldermen Pritchard, Sutherland, Fitzgerald, Thompson,
McPhail, Skinner, Hiscox, Ross, Henderson, Minhinmck, Rapley,
Browne, Christie, Williams, Lewis, McColl, Partridge, sr., Partridge,
jr., Jones, Campbell and Murray.
The amalgamation of the Great Western Railroad and London,
Huron & Bruce Railroad took place by act of Parliament. In the
year 1876 the Crooks Act came before the Legislature, and when the
City Council proposed to raise the license fees there was a great scene
in the Council Chamber. On one hand the licensed victuallers were
present, and on the other hundreds of ladies, clergymen and temper-
ance people. John Carling and others spoke in the liquor interest,
and Rev. R. W. Wallace, Rev. Mr. Murray, Rev. James Graham, Dr.
Oronhyatekha and Rev. J. Rice for temperance. Temperance carried
the day, or rather the Council, by one vote 11 to 10.
In 1877 Robert Pritchard was selected by the people as Mayor, and
the following aldermen were elected : — Messrs. Sutherland, Gray,
Campbell, Fitzgerald, Thompson, Murray, Jones, Skinner, Regan,
McNab, Hiscox, Minhinnick, Browne, Rapley, Christie, Williams, Boyd,
Egan, Partridge, jun., and Partridge, sen. This year the Council pro-
vided the necessary funds for the erection of the High School building,
which is now the Collegiate Institute.
The year 1877 also saw the memorial " rumpus " on the police
force, which resulted in the resignation of Chief Wigmore. A by-law
for the construction of the present waterworks, at a cost of $325,000,
was submitted to the people on Dec. 14, and carried.
In 1878 Col. Lewis was returned as Mayor, together with Aid.
17
256 HISTORY OF THE
Campbell, Smyth, Thompson, Murray, Powell, Eegan, Skinner, Stringer,
McNab, Eddleston, Keenleyside, Glass, Eapley, Browne, Christie, Wil-
liams, Vining, Egan, Thos. Peel and J. K. Peel. On the minutes of
the second meeting of this year is recorded the following: — "Aid.
Thompson gave notice that he would move at the next meeting, that in
order to elevate the standard of this Council, the proceedings be opened
in future with prayer, and that ex-Monk Widdows be engaged as
chaplain for the Board, and that the Salaries Committee be requested
to report the amount to be paid for his spiritual services, etc." The
late E. W. Hyman, one of London's first Water Commissioners, died on
the 12th of April of this year, and the Council held a special meeting
to pass a resolution of regret, and attended his funeral in a body.
In 1879 Col. Lewis was re-elected Mayor. The aldermen were
Eobt. Pritchard, John Campbell, James Muirhead, W. W. Fitzgerald,
A. B. Powell, A. K. Thompson, Wm. Skinner, Samuel Stringer, Charles
Taylor, Geo. Eddleston, B. W. Greer, Geo. T. Hiscox, James Ardell,
Graham Glass, Geo. Gray, Wm. Scarrow. John Williams, John Boyd,
J. R. Peel, James Egan and John Kay nor. Water Commissioners —
Hon. John Carling and J. R. Minhinnick. Ex-Mayor William Simp-
son Smith died in June of this year, and the Council attended the
funeral. In September, 1879, the Marquis of Lome and Princess
Louise visited London, and it cost the city $1,244 to entertain them.
In 1880 Alderman Campbell was elected Mayor, being opposed by
Minhinnick. Raynor and Lewis, Water Commissioners. R. Pritchard,
E. Meredith and James Muirhead, Aldermen of the First Ward ;
It. S. Murray, A. K. Thompson and James Cowan, of the Second ; C.
Taylor, J. W. Jones and Wm. Skinner, of the Third ; W. Milroy, Geo.
T. Hiscox and W. H. Rooks, of the Fourth ; N. Wilson, T. Browne
and Graham Glass, of the Fifth; W. Scarrow, J. Boyd and W. D.
Buckle, of the Sixth ; and Thomas Peel, J. D. Sharman and Wm.
Wyatt, of the Seventh Ward. Thomas Carling died in February, and
the Council passed a resolution of condolence and attended the funeral
in a body. It was decided by the people, with 93 majority, to sell the
Exhibition Grounds ; but the Council subsequently backed down and
didn't carry out the people's wishes. The laying of cedar block pave-
ment was commenced this year.
In 1881 the municipal elections resulted in the choice of J. Camp-
bell for Mayor, his vote being 1,413, while Mr. Lewis received 1,095.
James Muirhead and A. B. Powell were elected Water Commissioners.
1,301 votes were recorded for the sale of the Exhibition Grounds and
1,435 for the sale of Baiter's Grove. The Aldermen elected were
Robert Pritchard, John B. Smyth and James H. Wilson, First Ward ;
Stephen O'Meara, James Cowan and Robert S. Murray, Second Ward ;
John W. Jones, Francis Love and Samuel Stringer, Third Ward; Geo!
T. Hiscox, Benj. Higgins and Wm. Milroy, Fourth Ward; Lewis
Adams, Thomas Browne and Graham Glass, Fifth Ward ; John Boyd
Wm. D. Buckle and Wm. Scarrow, Sixth Ward; Thos. Partridge, jr.
J. D. Sharman and Wm. Wyatt, Seventh Ward.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 257
In 1882 Edmund Meredith was elected Mayor ; G. S. Bin-ell, C. B.
Hunt and E. Pritchard, Aldermen for First Ward ; G. S. Hyman, E. S.
Murray and O'Meara, Second Ward; J.W.Jones, W. Skinner and
C. Taylor, Third Ward ; Thomas Beattie, John Ferguson and B. Hig-
gins, Fourth Ward ; T. Browne, S. Crawford and J. R. Minhinnick,
Fifth Ward ; John Boyd, W. D. Buckle and Talbot Macbeth, Sixth
Ward ; Harry Becher, Thomas Peel and J. D. Sharman, Seventh Ward.
John Brown, born in Ireland in 1807, settled at London in 1832 ;
subsequently kept store at St. Thomas ; returned to London, and in
1835 was a member of St. John's Lodge, A. F. & A. M. In 1852 he
was appointed City Treasurer, and for thirty years filled that position,
until death called him in 1882.
In 1883 a few changes were made in ward representatives, but the
Mayor retained his office.
In 1883 Messrs. Birrell, Labatt, Hunt, Hyman, G'Meara, Cowan,
Skinner, Stringer, Browne, Boyd, Becher and Moore formed the
Council.
In 1884 the city elections resulted in the choice of C. S. Hyman for
Mayor by 620 majority. J. M. Cousins and John Eaynor were elected
Water Commissioners. The Aldermen for Ward 1 were re-elected ;
Messrs. O'Meara, Cowan and Beattie were elected in the Second ; in
the Third Ward Thomas C. Hewitt replaced Browne ; in the Fourth J.
S. Niven and W. Scarrow replaced Boyd and Moore. H. Becher
headed the poll. At this time the by-law establishing a free library
was adopted.
In 1885 Henry Becher was elected Mayor, receiving 1,755 votes,
while his opponent (Hiscox) received 1,164. Messrs. Birrell, Hewitt
and Eaynor, candidates for Water Commissioners, received 1.771,
1,633 and 1,456 votes respectively. The Aldermen who received the
highest number of votes were George Watson, H. C. Green and Chas.
Taylor, First Ward ; Stephen O'Meara, Jas. Cowan and C. A. Kingston,
Second Ward ; Samuel Stringer, Joseph Hook and Thomas Browne,
Third Ward ; W. Scarrow, T. D. Hodgens and John Christie, Fourth
Ward. The by-law to abolish the office of Water Commissioners was-
voted down: 407 for; 1,069 against. The by-law for sale of the Fair
Grounds was carried: for, 1,729 ; against, 1,114.
In 1886 the city elections resulted as follows: — Mayor, T. D.
Hodgens (1,643), W. Scarrow (1,375) and James Cowan (630) ; Water
Commissioners, Hewitt (1,977), Birrell (1,955) and Cousins (1,899).
The Aldermen elected were : — For Ward 1, George C. Davis, George
Watson and Charles Taylor ; Ward 2, S. O'Meara, Alex. McDonald
and Charles A. Kingston ; Ward 3, S. Stringer, Joseph Hook and Thos.
Browne ; Ward 4, M. D. Dawson, Joshua Garrett and John Boyd ;
Ward 5, George Heaman, J. W. Bartlett and John Nutkins.
In 1887 James Cowan was chosen Mayor, defeating W. Scarrow
by 902 votes, the figures being 2,270 and 1,368 respectively ; Messrs.
Hiscox, Muirhead and Cowan were elected Water Commissioners;
I
258 HISTORY OF THE
while the by-law, granting a loan of $75,000 to the Southeastern Rail-
road Company, was carried— for, 1,957, contra, 329 ; majority, 1,628.
The aldermen re-elected were Davis, 0. Taylor, McDonald, Stringer,
Hook and Heaman ; the new members were Jarvis, Greer, Moule,
Bowman, Moore, Vining, Geo. Taylor, Dreaney and Mclntosh.
In 1888 the Council comprised Wm. Wyatt, John Heaman, Thos.
Connor, Stephen O'Meara, John Callard, John Moule, W. H. Winnett,
Wm. Skinner, Wm. Jones, Geo. Taylor, J. B. Vining, Henry Dreaney,
N. P. Graydon and Geo. Heaman.
The last eight years of municipal life (1881-8) are well known to
almost everyone in the city. There was the discovery of John Brown's
defalcations and his sad death ; the reduction in the number of wards
with fewer aldermen ; the amalgamation of the City and London East ;
Hodgens's famous tooth-powder charges in connection with the City
Hospital ; the advent of the Canadian Pacific Railroad and Michigan
Central Railroad into the city; the lighting of the streets by electricity ;
the sale of the old fair grounds ; the erection of fair buildings on
Queen's Park ; the purchase of part of Carling's farm ; and the sale of
the Ordnance lands. All these events and many others are familiar to
the reader, and it is unnecessary to rehash them. The following gentle-
men have filled the chief magistrate's chair during that period: —
1880-1, John Campbell; 1882-3, Ed. Meredith ; 1884, C. S. Hyman ;
1885, Henry Becher; 1886, T. D. Hodgens ; 1887-8, James Cowan.
Thomas Scatcherd, born at Wyton, Missouri, in 1821, was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1849, and served the city as solicitor from 1849
to the period of his death at Ottawa, April 15, 1876. In 1861 he was
chosen to represent West Middlesex in the old Parliament ; in 1867
was elected for North Middlesex ; in 1872 re-elected, thus spending
fifteen years in parliamentary life.
The appointment of W. R. Meredith, City Solicitor, vice Scatcherd,
deceased, was made April 26, 1876.
A by-law appointing Mayor Cowan, R. Pritchard and A. B. Powell
as the City of London Trust, was passed Aug. 29, 1888.
Fire Department— The Volunteer Fire Brigade dates its organiza-
tion back to 1842. It was originated by Simeon Morrill, George J.
Goodhue and High Constable Groves. They succeeded in having a
by-law passed by the District Council of which William Balkwill
was president, compelling every householder to keep a fire bucket
made of leather, painted black, and hung in a convenient place in
each house. Cowhide dippers, as they were called at that time, were
inspected regularly by Capt. Groves, who was for many years at the
head of the fire organization. It was a funny spectacle to see each
man with a bucket running to a fire, and then form in line at some
well, passing the buckets along the line, up ladders, to the fire ; but,
ludicrous as it was, good work was often done, and valuable property
saved by these pioneers.
, In the year 1844 G. J. Goodhue purchased an engine which was
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX' 259
simply a garden sprinkler. The arrival of this wonderful piece of
machinery was the occasion of the first company being organized, by
Capt. Groves. They ran this little tub with a company of old citizens,
and did good work with it until the occasion of the great fire of April
11, 1845, when, after a minute's work, it was abandoned, and disappeared
in a general ruin. The company purchased two Perry hand engines
from a Montreal house, which they used for some time. Their first
steamer was purchased in 1867. Upon the organization of Phoenix Com-
pany, S. McBride was the first captain ; Edmund Beltz, first lieutenant,
and D. S. Perrin, second lieutenant. This company was composed
principally of young men who were very active and took a delight in
sports, and would often go over into the States to a firemen's tourna-
ment, frequently winning first prizes, and was counted the best depart-
ment in existence at that time. The company who got to the fire first
were awarded prizes against other companies in the city ; and it was
very laughable, as well as exciting, to see them getting to a fire, and
was often dangerous. John Eolfe was Captain of No. 4, Rescue, hook
and bucket company. From the start of , this company, the name was
changed several times. Company No. 5, called " Rising Sun," was
organized some time after, with Daniel Lester, captain.
In 1863 the department was made up as follows : — Chief Engineer,
Jno. Hunter ; assistant, Chas. Cater ; second assistant, Jno. McDowell.
Phoenix No. 2 — 60 men — Daniel Perrin, captain ; Donald McDonald,
first lieutenant; Geo. Wheeler, second lieutenant; James Findlater,
third lieutenant ; Wm. Loughrey, representative. Rescue No. 4 — 60
men — John Gibson, captain; John Cavanagh, first lieutenant; Thos.
Langan, second lieutenant; Timothy Flinn and John Shean, repre-
sentatives. Hook and Ladder Company — 40 men — Wm. Abraham,
captain; S. Gibson, first lieutenant; Wm. Bradshaw, second lieu-
tenant ; J. P. O'Byrne and Wm. Graham, representatives. Many of
London's leading business men at present were at one time volunteer
firemen of this city. Geo. Taylor, Samuel McBride, James Durand,
Samuel Stewart, Ed. Beltz, A. S. Abbott, Geo. Jackson, Richard Wig-
more, A. Grant, and many others were on the volunteer fire brigade in
old days. In December, 1872, a Babcock fire extinguisher was intro-
duced, and with this new departure a motion to abolish the volunteer
fire department, and create a regularly paid fire brigade, was made. As
the city grew, a volunteer brigade with hand reels could not protect it ;
and in 1867 the Phoenix steam engine was purchased. The volunteer
system, however, continued in force until 1873. Thomas Wastie,
chief for some time previous to that, instituted the permanent system,
and was the first chief of the paid department.
Present Department. — The fire department of to-day dates back
to April 1, 1873, when Thomas Wastie was appointed Chief. Two
permanent men beside the chief were only appointed at first in 1873,
viz., Oliver Richardson, driver, and David Bruce, engineer. There
were fourteen call men appointed, at $100 each. They were James
I
260 HISTOKY OF THE
Findlater, John F. Doyle, E. Wonnacott, Patrick Gleeson, Thomas
Eichardson, Geo. Till, Daniel Sullivan (killed shortly afterwards in an
accident at Hyraan's tannery), Harry Boyd, John Maddiver, Joseph
Eeeves, Harry Pratt, John Eoe, Alex. Harvey and Eichard McBride.
During the year 1875 there were 138 fire alarms, being 86 over 1874.
107 fires were attributed to incendiaries, and 31 fires to other causes.
On three occasions there were two fires raging at the same time. The
most dangerous was that of June 12, 1875, on Maitland street. Dur-
ing the year 1 8 brick buildings were on fire, one being totally destroyed ;
27 wooden buildings were totally destroyed, and 54 partially destroyed.
The department was made up of 20 men. In 1875 the fire alarm
system was put in, and in 1879 the introduction of the waterworks
did away with the old Phcenix steamer, which was sold to Middle -
brook. Ont., in 1886. No 2 steam engine was purchased in 1873, the
same make as first steamer, being a double pump and cylinder. This
engine was sold to Petrolea.
The record of fires from 1877 to July 1, 1888, is as follows:
1877 56 18SO 50 1883 77 1886 75
1878.... 52 1881 91 1884 74 1887 96
1879 56 1882 70 1885 73 1888 33
At the present time, with fourteen permanent and six call men, the
brigade never was in a more efficient condition. The following is the
personnel of the department as at present constituted : — Chief, John
A. Eoe ; Departmental Foreman, A. McMurchy ; Electrician, J. E. D.
Crawford.
The force at Central Fire Station comprises : — Station Foreman,
John Aikins; Drivers, George Gray and James Gleeson; Firemen,
Oliver Eichardson, J. D. Eiddell, Thomas Aikin and Samuel Notley ;
Call Men, P. C. Gleeson, E. Wonnacott, Joseph Eeeves, Michael
Gleeson, Harry C. Smith and Michael Donohue.
Station No. 2 comprises: — Station Foreman, J. D. Findlater;
Driver, Arch. Nicholson; Firemen, Arch. Mohr and John Swan wick.
Chief Eoe has been at the head of the force for about six or seven
years, succeeding Wastie, who went to the North-west.
Transactions of Council with Department.— In June, 1843, Cap-
tain Till and other members of the fire department resigned, when it
was ordered that the key of the engine-house, together with all appara-
tus belonging to the engine, trumpets, buckets, etc., etc., be examined
by Thomas Frazer, and placed in possession of the village clerk. By-
law No. 50, passed immediately following the resignation of the fire
company, provided that not more than six pounds of gunpowder shall
be kept in any store or dwelling, and that not more than thirty pounds
shall be kept in any out-building near such dwelling-house or store.
In July, Alex. Lowrie was summoned for making a fire on Talbot
street, and had to pay nine shillings and ninepence for violation of by-
law. Henry Groves was chosen Captain of the fire department, August
23. He was ordered to procure some necessaries for the company, but
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 261
nothing over the value of five shillings without a special instruction
from the Board. The direct pay was twenty-five shillings to the com-
pany for every fire, chimneys excepted. The constable reported £4-
lls. 3d. received from ex-fire-Captain Till. John Gray received a box
of lucifer matches September 9, and on the same day the village Board
ordered " that the box be removed to some distant out-house, as the
Board considered the same unsafe to be kept in a store." Very string-
ent laws were adopted about this time to provide against fire. Thomp-
son Wilson, barrack-master was charged by the Inspector of London,
with allowing the chimney in the brick barracks to catch fire ; but the
case was dismissed by the Police Board. Another item going to show
the existing fear of fire, is by-law 53, which provided " that any per-
sons who may open any of the public tanks or draw water therefrom,
except in case of fire, should be fined not less than five shillings,"
Anthony Gale was fined five shillings for allowing his chimney to take
fire in December, 1843. William Marshall was appointed town chim-
ney sweeper, and Inspector Whittimore was instructed to see that every
house and shop had its share of fire buckets in 1844. Fire had taken
such a hold of the public mind, that a large meeting was held to organ-
ize a hook and ladder company. The Board, agreeable to the opinion
of the people, sanctioned this organization and appointed Samuel H.
Park, captain ; Patrick McLaughlan, first lieutenant ; Alex. Lowrie,
second lieutenant ; and Alex. S. Armstrong, secretary. In February,
summary proceedings were taken against John Burke, for refusing to
aid in extinguishing a fire.
In January, 1845, the fire engine was taken to Peter McCann's
house, he agreeing to keep it safe at ten shillings per month. John
Birrell was allowed £35 6s. 4d. for laying new sidewalk on Dundas
street, the former walk being destroyed by the fire of October, 1844.
August 31, 1846, a fire engine was ordered from James McKenny, *
Quebec, and the same to be paid for by a check on the Board at one
year, with interest. In September, new tanks were erected at the
corners of Talbot and Richmond streets and Dundas.
In April, 1847, E. P. Ellis, treasurer of the Fire Company, pre- •
sented an account of £13 5s. Od. Peter McCann, first lieutenant of
Fire Company, also presented his account. In August, John Gumb
was ordered to deliver 30,000 brick at £1 per thousand, for the purpose
of building an engine house.
A 700-pound bell, the same exhibited at the Buffalo, N. Y. fair, ,
was ordered from A. Good at 12 cents per pound, $14 for the yoke,
and $5 for the wheel. In October, 1848, this was the first and long-
looked for fire-bell of London, a trumpet being its predecessor for
alarm purposes.
The Council passed a by-law forbidding the erection of wooden ,
buildings where old buildings were burned, June 16, 1849. On Jan.
21, Bennett's resolution to form a Town Protective Society, to take
charge of all goods in case of fire, was earned. In March a by-law for
262 HISTORY OF THE
the government of the Fire Department was passed. In December it
provided for the employment of a chief engineer, first and second
assistant engineers, a captain for each engine, hook and ladder, hose
and property protection company, one first and second lieutenant, one
secretary and one treasurer. The engine company was limited to sixty
members, and the other companies to forty members, Wm. Goodwin
was secretary. The nomination of Simeon Morrill chief, and Peter
McCann and John Plummer assistants, was confirmed.
In May, 1850, a sum of £250 was granted to purchase a fire
engine capable of throwing water fifty feet high.
A motion by Councillor Barker, made in 1852, to permit the volun-
teer rifle company to wear side-arms while attending fires was lost. A
lot on the north side of King street was purchased from Alex. Mc-
Donald, and on it an engine house was built. The Council, in Feb-
ruary, appointed the captains of several fire companies. A board of
fire wardens elected Elijah Leonard chief engineer, with William Eow-
land and James Cousins second and third engineers. Each warden
was to wear a Kossuth hat with plumes.
In August, 1853, the Council resolved to raise £900 by debentures,
for building the firemen's hall and engine-house.
In March, 1854, the fire brigade was presided over by C. N.
Simms, chief, with J. E. Murphy and Francis Smith, first and second
engineers.
The fire companies of 1857 were Fire King, Hook and Ladder,
Phoenix, Defiance, Eescue and Rising Sun. The officers of the Hook and
Ladder Company of 1859 were : — Charles Stevens, captain ; William
Abraham and Charles Flew, lieutenants ; John S. Mearns, secretary,
and D. McPherson, treasurer ; the last two named being representa-
tives to the Fire Brigade Board.
Fires, 181^4-1888. — The following record of fires is based solely on
contemporary history, such as the Council journal and newspaper files.
The first reference to fires in this journal is made in January, 1844,
when the Police Board ordered twenty-five shillings to be paid to the
fire company for services rendered at the burning of John O'Brien's
house. John Jennings' distillery was destroyed by fire, April 14, and
the Board offered a reward of £25 for the conviction of the incendiary.
In October the police office was used as a store-house for goods rescued
from the fire of that month. The Board further thanked Captain
Caddy for £10 subscription, being the proceeds of one night's enter-
tainment by the Garrison Theatrical Company. This sum was equally
divided between Leonard, Perrin, Thomas Clark, Veitch, Faulds and
Edmunds, they being the principal sufferers from the fire. Samuel H.
Park was paid £2 17s. 6d. for the use of teams during the fires. Peter
McCann was allowed £4 10s. for men on duty during the fire.
The fire of April 11, 1845, which either washed or wafted away
some three hundred stores, dwellings, churches, banks, post-office,
hotels, etc., was the most disastrous known in London. It originated
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 263
in the Kobinson Hall, and spread with amazing rapidity. On this
occasion the 2nd Eoyals (Infantry), who were then stationed in the
new barracks on the present Victoria Park, did efficient service in
guarding property and keeping order for the sufferers against a large
number of plunderers from the city and country. At this time a large
garden sprinkler presented to the fire company was destroyed, and all
the houses, cabins, churches, etc., within the district bounded by
Ridout, Dundas, Talbot south to the river were swept away. To give
an idea of how this fire spread, it is related that James Nixon had just
taken his horse from the Robinson Hall stables one minute before the
archway was ablaze. The locations of the greater number of business
houses in 1845 are given at the close of this chapter, so that the
names of the principal sufferers are preserved.
Stephen Bonser (or Bonsel) was allowed £5 for services as en-
gineer, while £3 18s. 3d. were allowed to the company for services at
the burning of Mrs. Shepherd's house in April, 1847.
Among the persons paid for services at the fire of Jan. 15, 1849,,
were George Taylor, Charles Hine, Wm. Winslow, Richard Bissett,
Joshua Freckleton, Wm. Lament, Peter Wright and Henry Boyd,
each receiving five shillings. The investigation into the origin of this
fire, which destroyed Donald McDonald's store and Joseph Goodwin's
dwelling adjoining, showed that Robert Gunn discovered the fire. On
January 16 the Council presented a record of their vote of thanks,
printed in gilt letters and neatly framed, to the young men Burwell,
Schram and Will Burns, " for their intrepid and persevering conduct
in arresting the progress of the lamentable fire." During this fire Mr.
Burke's house was pulled down unnecessarily. The burning of
Henry Dalton's soap factory, Jan. 30, was accidental.
The following entry is made in the records of the Council : — " The
chief engineer reported to the Council that he had offered a reward of
£5 to the Phoenix Fire Company, if said Company would save a certain
wooden building which was in danger of being consumed by fire on the
morning of May 28th." Notices were given that application for pay-
ment of this sum, and also of £1 to Mr. Holmes's Fire Company, would
be made at next session of Council. The fire originated in Reynolds's
butcher shop, also used by cabinet-maker Allen, a brother in-law of
Reynolds. This resulted in the destruction of buildings belonging to
Dennis O'Brien, and of Sutherland's printing office. At that time
Sutherland slept in the printing office. Peter Glen, tailor, and
Donald Stewart resided near the burned buildings The Council
offered £25 for the conviction of the incendiary. The grants to the
Phoenix and Holmes's Companies, as asked, were made, and £5 to the
Juvenile Fire Company. On June 18th an attempt was made to-
bum Lawrason & Chisholm's store. The Council presented John
O'Neil with an address, thanking him for saving such valuable
property.
A fire was started in the buildings on the north side of Dundas
264 HISTORY OF THE
street, August 15, 1850. The Council offered £250 reward for the
capture and conviction of the incendiaries. The fire originated in
Smith, Matthewson and Moore's buildings, where they formerly kept
store. It was discovered after midnight by Kobert Summers, who
gave the alarm, and saw a man run from the place, having first thrown
turpentine against the house. This building, Goodhue's store, the
frame occupied by Oliver's shoe store and Dennis O'Brien's brick
(then occupied by Ronald Robinson as a tavern), were destroyed. The
inmates barely escaped. At Oliver's and other places Robert Summers
aided in saving the family arid some of the leather.
The fire of January 7, 1851, threatened the town. Lieut.-Colonel
Outchley and men of the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers, the local fire-
men, and a small number of citizens, worked faithfully to rescue pro-
perty. The majority of the citizens were mere spectators, as the fol-
lowing resolution of the Council points out: — "That this Council
regret being called upon to condemn, in the strongest language, the
apathy evinced by a great portion of the spectators on that melancholy
occasion, who, not content with refusing to assist in procuring water or
otherwise endeavoring to arrest the flames, actually seemed by their
gestures and conversation to enjoy the sight, and, so far from being of
any use, only retarded those who were willing to exert themselves.
Therefore, the Council would request all those who attend fires merely
to gratify a morbid curiosity, to remain at home in future." One re-
sult of this fire, however, was the appropriation of £300 for the pur-
chase of a " good engine and hose." The fire of February 7 was
discovered in the house occupied by Win. Till, cabinet-maker, on
Ridout street. Till's shop, with the exception of a small dwelling
house on the northern side, formed the last of a range of wooden build-
ings, extending nearly from York to King streets. The wind was
from the north, which, with the exertions of the Hook and Ladder
Company and a partial supply of water, prevented the consuming of
the block. As it was, about one -third (the southern part) was con-
sumed ; and in the remainder the houses were completely gutted. In
the houses burnt, the following were the sufferers : — Thomas Fraser's
dwelling house, the cabinet shop and dwelling house of William Till,
with a quantity of lumber ; no insurance ; the next was owned and
occupied by E. P. Ellis as a cabinet shop, insured for $1,500 in the
Oenessee Mutual ; the next occupied by W. H. Soper, gunsmith, who
was insured for £100 ; the building, owned by Maurice Baker, was
also insured. This was the last building burned, and was pulled down
while on fire, thereby stopping any further progress. Till, on whose
premises the fire broke out, lost heavily. The military were on the
ground, and rendered all the assistance in their power.
The fire of August 24, 1851, destroyed the old Catholic church
building at the corner of Richmond street and Maple avenue.
The fire of Oct. 7 was discovered in the ran^e of wooden buildings
on Richmond street, between the Congregational Chapel and Dundas
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 265
street. The range was owned by S. S. Pomeroy, and consisted of six
different shops ; one of which was vacant, and the other five occupied
as follows : — Dr. Wanless, druggist, stock insured for £250 in the
Empire State Co., and furniture, &c., £200 in the Provincial ; R. Gunn,
shoemaker ; Lawson, tailor ; W. Jarman, tin and copper-smith, £100
in the Empire State Co. ; Wm. Bissell, £50 in the Hudson River Co.
Some damage was done to Mr. Strong's Hotel, but through the exer-
tions of Phoenix Fire Co., No. 2, the fire was prevented from extend-
ing. The fire of December, which destroyed some houses on the
south side of Dundas, necessitated an order by Council giving the
privilege to persons burned out of erecting temporary wooden build-
ings.
In February, 1857, a fire broke out in the basement of the City
Hall, caused by overheating of furnace pipes. In this year the hospital
was burned. Later in 1857 the City Hospital on the Hamilton Road,
Henry Groves' house on York street, Pomeroy's on Dundas, Carmichael's
on Mill street, and Cameron's on Wellington street, were set on fire.
The fire of May 27, 1859, destroyed six tenement houses, owned
by Ingram, on Waterloo street. In July, 1860, a fire broke out in the
Higgins stable on Dundas near Clarence, and destroyed the building
and adjoining sheds in rear of the Hiscox tavern. Higgins's and His-
cox's taverns and Wesleyan parsonage were saved by the firemen,
under Wigmore, McPherson and Frank Church. The first fire of 1863
originated in Thomas Craig's office, and resulted in the destruction of
Adam Hope & Co.'s hardware stock and store. The military engineers
saved the books. The second fire was in their new store, where
Stephenson's store now stands, opposite the City Hotel. At this time
Warren's, Chisholm's and Hope's stores were destroyed.
In 1865 a fire destroyed all the buildings between the stores of E.
Beltz and R. Reid ; subsequently the vacant lot was purchased by J.
Green, for the purpose of building thereon a dry goods warehouse.
During the operation of clearing out the old ruins, one of the walls fell,
•carrying down Beltz's hat store and Mrs. Egan's property. The fire of
May 24th destroyed Elijah Leonard's old foundry on Ridout and Ful-
larton ; also Dennis O'Connor's dwelling. Owing to the fact that the
machinery and material were removed to the new foundry, Leonard's
loss was small.
Thompson & Hendershott's oil refinery, on the river bank, east of
the London and Port Stanley bridge, was burned January 23, 1867.
Wood's Hotel, corner of Clarence and Dundas streets, was destroyed
by fire December 13. The buildings were erected in 1840 and owned
by Benj. Higgins. The firemen, aided by the 53rd regiment, confined
the fire to the hotel.
The Reindeer Inn, also known as " Murphy's Erin-go-Bragh,"
owned in 1867-8 by John Armour, was burned January 27, 1868.
This was a large frame building at the corner of Bathurst and Rich-
mond streets. Heathfield & Williams' drug store, on Dundas street,
I
266 HISTORY OF THE
was on fire March 4. The department saved the building, but deluged
the stock with water. The fire of July 27, which threatened the
Catholic school-house, was followed by a fire on Hitchcock street
(Maple street) and Eichmond street, which destroyed Stewart's fanning
mill factory and nineteen other buildings. The mill building was
owned by John Dignam; but the contents represented $12,000. A.
Kerr's building adjoining was valued at $1,000 ; Stewart and Eudd's
dwelling and barns, $2,500 ; barn adjoining factory, $500 ; McKellar
& Stewart's wagon factory, $6,000; McKellar's dwelling, $1,000;
Waddell's cottage, $1,200 ; Western Hotel stables and contents, $2,000 •
Grey's plow factory, $300 ; Magee's block of six dwellings, $3,600 ;
Gillean's building damaged ; also Mrs. Darby's, Hardwood's carpenter
shop, Peel's marble works, Eichardson's carpenter shop. P. Weston's
dwelling and other buildings damaged. The losses amounted to
$40,000. M. & E. Anderson's foundry, Adelaide and Dundas streets,
was blown up September 21, 1868, killing one man and wounding
seven. Twelve years before the Anderson foundry, then on Eichmond
and Fullarton streets, met with a similar fate, when a number of lives
were lost and a number wounded. The fire of December 29 destroyed
the grocery house of Frank Smith & Co., the loss being estimated at
about $40,000.
The fire of Jan. 6, 1869, originated in Finlayson's dry goods store,
on Dundas, and gutted that store. In saving adjoining property much
damage was done, the total losses being placed at $30,000. John-
White's hotel, on North street, was partially destroyed by fire also in
January. Thomas Hodgens's wagon shop, on Eichmond and Market,
was destroyed by fire February 11. The fire of June 7 destroyed
Bullock's dwelling and slaughter-house on King and Eectory streets,
near St. Paul's Cemetery. The Canada Chemical Works were burned
in September. The Ontario Chemical Works, on London Eoad, were
destroyed October 12, involving a loss of $15,000. Win. McMillan's
oil refinery, on Bathurst, east of the Grand Trunk Eailroad depot, was
gutted by fire November 3-4. The house of Wm. Smith, near the-
Catholic cemetery, was burned November 26. The act was imputed
to Mary Hawkins, whose love was not reciprocated. A tavern at the
corner of Eichmond and Litchfield streets was burned December 6.
The tinshop of I. W. C. Baker was burned January 5, 1870,
entailing a loss of $2.500. The other property destroyed was A. John-
ston's building, $1,400 ; Hiscox's hotel, $1,600 ; T. Powell's furniture,
$500 ; Mrs. Trebilcock's stock, about $600 ; Goldner & Hooper's,
about $300; Dr. Westland's furniture, $300, and Benj Hioains's
building, $300— in all $7,500. The O'Callaghan and Elson frame
building, which stood on Eichmond street, opposite the City Hall, was
burned January 21. Elson's butcher shop, Mountjoy's fruit store,
Henry Taylor's bank and Burke's photographic rooms were in the
building. The house was erected about 1841, and for ten years was
used by the Wesleyan Methodists for church purposes. The fire on
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 267
Duke and Cartwright streets, of February 22, destroyed property
valued at $2,000. A. Graham's barn, and James Anderson's and Mrs.
Hennessy's cottages were destroyed. The grocery store of Michael
Gleeson, on Eichmond and Bathurst streets, was destroyed by fire
February 27. The children narrowly escaped death. The petroleum
works of Englehart & Co., on Adelaide street, were destroyed by fire
February 24. Oliver Odell was burned to a crisp, and others severely
injured. A second explosion at Eriglehart's works, April 9, entailed a
loss of $2,000 ; and a third on May 23, 1870, damaged property valued
at $6,000. Macmillan & Latham's oil still exploded August 11.
The explosion at Steadwells' refinery April 22, 1872, caused the
death of Joseph Ellis and J. Weaver, while on December 31st young
Hussey was killed in Elliott's foundry. The burning of Mrs. Howard's
child at the barracks occurred September 3, 1872. S. Adams & Co.'s oil
stills were damaged by explosion in June. In November, the frame
buildings near the Terrapin restaurant on Dundas street were des-
troyed by fire. Mrs. S. A. Gibbons, whose fancy goods store was in
one, and Geo. Shaw, who had a grocery in another, suffered some loss.
The old buildings were on the site of the proposed buildings of W. J.
Eeid & Co. In December, the Victoria Hotel stables on Duke and
Wellington streets, with the dwellings of Wm. Noden and Mrs. Ions,
were burned. On the morning of December 10th the old frame pas-
pen ger depot of the Grand Trunk Kailroad was destroyed, and on
December 15th the old artillery barracks on Wellington street.
The explosion of an oil still in the Hodgens refinery, east of Ade-
laide street, resulted in the destruction of fourteen oil cars. This
occurred January 10, 1873. The fire of February 8th destroyed Kirk-
patrick's shoe store, and Thomas Simmon's fruit shop on Dundas street.
On April 18th the boiler in Hyman's tannery (London) exploded, killing
Daniel Sullivan. Geo. Homer, foreman, and George Vincent, engineer,
were arrested on the charge of continuing the use of the engine for
months after they knew of the dangerous condition of the safety-valve.
The Ontario Car Works of London were destroyed by fire in June,
1874. The total loss of $80,000 was met by an insurance of $65,000.
The fire of June 22 destroyed nine buildings on Eichmond street,
between King and York streets, and on the 27th two frame buildings
on the west side of Eichmond, between the streets named, were
destroyed. On July 4th two frame buildings on Bathurst, near
Clarence, were burned.
The fire of February 27, 1875, destroyed Muirhead & Gray's oat-
meal mills, and also the block on the corner of Dundas and Eichmond.
On March 31 Westlake's dry goods store was burned. In August the
factories of Nash & Jackson and of White, Yates & Joliffe were des-
troyed.
The Golden Quoit Hotel, on York and Burwell streets, was burned
August 30, 1876. M. Glass was then proprietor.
The London Iron Works, owned by E. Leonard & Sons, were des-
268 HISTORY OF THE
troyed by fire May 4, 1881, thirty years after their establishment by
Elijah Leonard. Seventy portable engines and boilers were destroyed,
and the total loss was placed at $60,000. The works stood on York,
between Waterloo and Colborne, and gave employment to eighty-five
workmen. George Gray and Harry Smith, two firemen, narrowly
escaped death. Thomas Green's planing mill was destroyed by fire
September 11, entailing a loss of $25,000.
The Globe Agricultural Works on Dundas street were destroyed
by fire September 11, 1882. The concern was insured for $27,000,
but the loss was placed at over $45,000 by Mr. Mahon, the manager.
The Imperial Oil Company's works in London East were struck
by lightning and destroyed on July 11, 1883.
The wholesale house of Hobbs, Osborne & Hobbs, was blown up
by gunpowder, February 18, 1884. The two upper floors were carried
away, and fire completed the ruin. Donald Smith was burned to a
crisp; Percy H. Ince was rescued half crushed and half burned;
Frank Shaw and Frank H. Smith escaped. The firm carried the
heaviest hardware stock in Western Ontario, and lost about $35,000.
The building was insured for $12,000, and the stock for $63,000.
The Phoenix Foundry, erected in 1871-2, was destroyed by fire
May 29, 1885. Five hundred reapers and binders were burned, and
an acre of buildings and material destroyed. John Elliott & Sons, the
owners, estimated the loss at between $150,000 and $200,000 insured
for $52,000.
The Canada Chemical Co.'s works were destroyed June 12, 1887,
involving a loss of $100,000. In 1867 this industry was established*
here; was burned out in 18 70, but rebuilt and carried on a great busi-
ness. The fire of June 17 broke out in an old frame building
on the south side of Queen's avenue, near Talbot street, and destroyed
much property. Cousins's pump factory on Wellington street, with
two stables, were burned August 5.
Hunt's mill, at the foot of Talbot street, was destroyed by fire May
18, 1888. The gutting of the old Mechanics' Institute building on
Talbot street, opposite Queen's avenue, occurred July 22, 1888. The
oatmeal mill, on the corner of Talbot street and the railway, was
destroyed, only the bare walls standing, August 20.
Village and City Police.— In the year 1840, London was consti-
tuted a police village, controlled by a Board of Police, with functions
similar to those of the Board of Aldermen of to-day. Of that body,
which was elective, Mr. Goodhue was chosen the first President. Under
this system of rule the village continued till 1847, when it was created
a town with Simeon Morrill as its first Mayor. In 1834 Lawrence
Lawrason was appointed a Justice of the Peace for London, and for
over 40 years served as such. In 1866 he was appointed first
Police Magistrate for London, holding the position until his death in
1882. E. Jones Parke is the present Magistrate.
A memorial of military honesty is written under date of May, 1843.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
269
It appears that Private James Ilett, of the Royal Eegiment, found a
shawl. This the Board ordered should " be cried through the town by
the * General Brown,' and given up to the true owner."
In May, 1843, a note for £11 5s., payable to Thomas Clifford or
bearer, by Nathan Choat, was found on the street and turned over to
the Board.
Michael McGarry was appointed Constable, Town Warden and
Inspector in August, 1844, vice Bennett. In those days the duties of
Town Warden and Inspector were not always pleasant or safe. On one
occasion Lowrie called at Devanny's bake house to inspect the stove
pipe. A law suit followed, when one of the witnesses, Richard Falls,
or Faulds, swore as follows : — " Lowrie caught hold of Devanny's col-
lar, and Devanny gave him the paper and told him to leave the bake
house, which Lowrie refused to do, upon which Devanny threw him
out " This unceremonious conduct cost the baker 8s. 9d.
The officers of the Police Board in 1846, were the same as in 1845,
with the exceptions that Win. McBride was appointed assessor. In
January, 1846, the room for Police Board was rented from Timothy
Cook, on Ridout street, for £1 per month. The officials at this time
were very exacting. John Becket had to pay fourteen shillings " for
standing with his team on one of the crossing places on the street, con-
trary to by-law." October 9, 1848, Councilman Doyle's motion, that
all the policemen, except the high bailiff and inspectors, be dismissed,
was earned ; also one providing that the new police force, consisting of
three privates and the high bailiff, should receive £20 per annum and
usual fees, while the inspector was to be paid £30 per annum. Ezekiel
Whittimore was inspector, and Messrs. Wiggins, Boyd and R. Jennings,
policemen. Colonel Clinch, was inspector of licenses.
In January, 1849, Peter McCaim was appointed high constable ;
James Dunbar and Michael Kennedy, fee-paid constables for St.
Andrew's ; Michael McGarry and Henry Boyd, for St. Patrick's ; T.
Wiggins and J. Wakely, for St. David's ; and T. Fletcher and W. Robb,
for St. George's; Annesley Griffith, inspector; W. Williams, town
crier ; R. Jennings, pound-keeper ; and J. H. Caddy, engineer.
On January 21, 1849, Miriam H. Rowley, while passing by his
store, observed a light inside ; the ubiquitous Peter McCann was soon
on the scene, when he found Malachi Hart and Michael Young pre-
paring to sleep in Rowley's bed-clothes. McCann took them to prison,
and next day had them fined.
Daniels moved to have the Mayor and two councilmen also sit
weekly as Police Court Magistrates in 1849. In 1854 Thael Van
Valkenburg was appointed high bailiff, but in January, 1855 the office
gav<) place to that of high constable. In January, 1855, a report in
favor of establishing a regular police force was adopted. Robert Maw-
hinney, John lies, John Keary, Andrew Pollock, John T. Mitchell,
Henry Shad well and Christopher Teale were appointed, but Pollock
resigned, and Edward Templeton was appointed. William O'Rielly
270 HISTORY OF THE
was chief constable. In July, 1855, Samuel Parke Ayres was ap-
pointed chief constable, vice William O'Kielly. On September 24,
1860, the police force was discharged and a new one appointed, com-
prising the following members : — Eobert Mawhinney, James Taylor,
Patrick Wallace, William Baskerville, James Guttridge, Henry Phair
and John Larkin. Baskerville was appointed chief, but was succeeded
in February, 1861, by Richard Wigmore.
In 1877 there were thirty-two applicants for the office of Chief of
Police, recently held by Chief Wigmore. Sergeant W. T. Williams, of
the Toronto police, was chosen, while ex- Chief Wigmore was appointed
head of the detective force, at a salary of $600 per annum.
In 1863 the force consisted of a chief and seven constables. There
were no sergeants and no detectives. Brock Stevens was chief, having
succeeded S. P. Ayers, second chief of the London city police, a year
or so before. T. Van Valkenburgh was the first to hold office. The
constables were Henry Phair, Robert Mawhinney, Patrick Wallace,
John Larkin, William Baskerville, James Guttridge and Jas. Fletcher.
Three of the above-mentioned seven are still on the force. Baskerville,
who afterwards became sergeant-major, is in the city also, and it is
only a short time since Mr. Mawhinney died. Brock Stevens resigned
from the force shortly after, but continued to reside in London until
1876, or thereabouts, when he committed suicide for some unexplained
cause. He was succeeded by Richard Wigmore, previously employed
in the Sheriff's office, and Mr. Wigmore held the office until 1875,
when, through some difficulties arising on the force, he resigned. He
was succeeded by Wm. T. T. Williams, the present chief, who previous
to that time had been a sergeant in the Toronto police force, and had
also seen considerable military police and detective service in England
and France. The force, as now constituted, comprises one chief, three
sergeants, two detectives, and twenty-four police constables. The fol-
lowing are the names of the officers : —
Chief, W. T. T. Williams; sergeants, Robt. Adams, Thos. Jenkins
and Arthur Maguire ; detectives, Henry Phair and William Ryder;
police constables, John Larkin, Patrick Wallace, James Hobbins, John
Boyd, Robert Weir, William Pope, Robert Crawford, Nelson Smith,
Robert Egleton, John Morgan, Richard Ralph, David Dibbs, Walter
Chalcraft, Thomas Nickle, George Campbell, Robert Birrell, Thomas
Howie, Thomas McDonald, Wm. McGowan, John D. McColl, Michael
Toohey, Gilbert Woolway, James Gilson and Thomas Whittaker.
The force is in a very efficient state, as Chief Williams main-
tains the strictest discipline. For years now " crooks " have worked
shy of London, owing mainly to the wide-awake character of the city
detectives. The detective department was added to the force about
1871 or 1872, Enoch Murphy being the first appointed. About 1873
or 1874 fire bugs were burning up the city right and left, and Henry
Phair was made a detective and is still on the force. Detective
Murphy was succeeded by Detective Ryder about three years ago.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 273
The other two officers, besides Detective Phair, who were on the force
in 1863, and are still on it. are Patrick Wallace and John Larkin. As
stated above, there were no sergeants in 1863 ; but now there are three
of the most capable police officers in Canada holding these positions.
Eobert Adams is the senior, and has seen long service on the force.
Thomas Jenkins comes next in seniority, and has been on the force
about twelve or thirteen years. He is also a very capable officer, as is
Arthur Maguire, the third on the list, also.
Henry Boyd, for over 20 years the city bell-ringer of London, died
in Dec., 1872. Years before, while on the police force, he was beaten
by soldiers, from the effects of which he suffered until his death.
Richard Dinahan, who was caretaker of the City Hall for over 17
years, was presented an engrossed copy of the Council's resolutions on
his resignation in Jan., 1873. Eobert Mawhinney, who died in 1888,
held the position for years. Henry Merritt succeeded.
Town-Crier Williams was the first, and for a long time the only
advertising medium London possessed. He would go about the town
ringing his bell, and from time to time, as he became the center of a
crowd, would make his announcements. " There will be-e-e an auc-
tion sa-a-ale, on the Market Squ-a-re, this afternoo-o-n, at half-past
two-o-o." And then he would go on and detail what was to be offered.
Town-Crier Williams commenced business in the forties, and continued
until the daily newspapers left nothing for him to do. They absorbed
the advertising patronage, and the profession of the town-crier became
a thing of the past in 1863-4.
London's Water Supply. — In the earlier years of the settlement
the house-keeper carried water from the river in a pail, or where a
large supply was needed, an empty whisky barrel would be rolled
down, filled and rolled back to supply the kitchen, give drink to the
thirsty, or aid in building up the stock of whisky. In April, 1830, a
well was ordered to be excavated opposite lot 16, on the south side of
Dundas street, and within the street limits, with a water conveyance
thence to the jail, where a reservoir and pump were to be constructed.
Wells then came into general use, and well-water continued to be used
for years. On the organization of the village, the water question
received some attention, but only from 1843 is there reliable informa-
tion of the measures taken to insure a supply. Two tanks, fifteen feet
eight inches long, six feet wide and ten feet deep, were ordered in
November, 1843 — one to be placed near the foundry, and one at the
corner of Richmond and Horton streets. In February, 1844, the town
well on North street, in the rear of Farley's house, was cleaned and
otherwise improved. Leonard Perrin was allowed "to lay down
pipes from lot 15 to lot 16 on Dundas street in February, 1845." In
June, Lawyer Wilson asked permission to lay down pipe from the
well at the corner of Talbot and North streets to his buildings on
Dundas street. In June, 1846, Robert Gunn complained to the Board
" that John Wilson turned the water out of its- proper course in North
18
274 HISTORY OF THE
street." This undoubtedly resulted from Wilson's unanswered prayer
for leave to put down water pipes referred to in 1845. Permission
was given the people to take water from the pipes leading from the
sprino to the tanks in August, 1847. Among the first to take advantage
of this privilege of attaching pipes to the tank at the old Montreal bank,
at the corner of Ridout and North streets, was Dennis O'Brien. A
special assessment of one farthing on the pound was made in Septem-
ber, 1848, on Dundas street from Kidout to Talbot, to pay the expense
of sprinkling the street.
In January, 1851, E. Johnstone, of the Committee of the County
Council on the jail water supply, recommended that the Warden,
Engineer and a member of Council be appointed a permanent com-
mittee to superintend improvements on water- works, and for selling
water to consumers in the town. In February, 1852, Councillors
Barker, Oliver, Code, McClary and Anderson were appointed a com-
mittee to consider the best means for obtaining a supply of good
water for the town. In August there were eleven large tanks in use,
three of which were constructed of brick. A committee of the Council
recommended the erection of eighteen additional tanks — nine of brick
and nine of wood. This committee was presided over by John C.
Meredith.
A petition to the Legislature asking power to erect a system of
water-works was adopted in January, 1853. In November, 1854,
Elijah Leonard introduced a by-law providing for the establishment of
the London and Westminster Water- works Company. Peter McCann
was one of the directors. In consequence, however, of a suspicion
that the Pond Mills water contained nothing but surface water, the
company fell through. In 1866 several artesian wells were sunk, but
the water was strongly impregnated with sulphur. One of the wells,
at the foot of Dundas street, has been running since, and it is pro-
posed to build a sanitarium in connection with it at an early date.
After the failure of the artesian wells, and a thorough test of the
Westminster ponds, it was decided to try the Byron springs, about
four miles down the river. The result was the discovery of an inex-
haustible supply of pure spring water, and a natural elevation for a
reservoir commanding the city.
In November, 1871, a report from the committee sent to examine
the water-works at Jackson, Mich., was received. In March, 1874,
Charles Dunnett placed before the Council Dr. Anderson's reference
to, and Dr. Machattie's analysis of 1870 of, the sulphur springs water.
On October 7, 1874, Thomas C. Keefer, writing to the Council, speaks
of collecting the springs near Cobmbs's, but suggests that, to avoid
tunnelling the river to put down water pipes, every effort should be
made to obtain a supply on the city side of the branches. On February
15, 1875, Messrs. Macmahon, Gibbons and McNab were authorized to
inform the Council that, should privileges be granted, a private com-
pany with $600,000 capital was willing to undertake the construction
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 275
of water-works. On March 29, 1875, a vote on the question of the
by-law appropriating $400,000 for water- works, on the basis of T. C.
Reefer's estimate, was taken, when 243 votes were for and 699 against.
A very bitter feeling was manifested before and during the election.
The disbursements for the year 1874 were $659,202.02.
In September, 1876, a company applied for a charter to supply the
city with water. The members were George S. Birrell, Charles
Murray, Isaac Waterman, Ellis W. Hyman, John McClary, John
Elliott, Thomas Muir and George Moorhead. The committee re-
ported in favor of accepting a scheme proposed by this company or
the establishment of a system by the city. At this time William
Eobinson, city engineer, presented estimates for $94,395 as the cost of
a thorough system. Wilson's spring, on the 6th Concession of London,
Lot 4, as described in the engineer's report of 1875, was referred to as
the proper source of supply.
The by-law authorizing the construction of water- works passed at
special meeting of the Council, December 26, 1877, and in March,
1878, a contract for the construction of water- works and reservoir was
sold to Stevens, Turner & Burns, of London, for $194,000. In May
an 18-inch pipe was placed from Waterloo and York streets to Coombs's
Hill, 3J miles, crossing the Thames south of Westminster bridge. The
reservoir and works were constructed near the old mill, and a dam
constructed to obtain power for the pumping machinery, as it was then
determined to dispense with the use of coal. The building was erected
by Screaton & Gibson, and in it were placed two Holly turbine wheels
of 103 horse-power each. The reservoir on Chestnut Hill — 298 feet
above the river, and 150 feet above the highest point in the city,
except the Catholic Cathedral — has a capacity of 6,000,000 gallons,
being 198 square feet at the bottom, and 400 square feet at the sur-
face, with a depth of 17 feet. The grounds, comprising 62 acres, were
fenced in 1878 by James Biggs, under the direction of John Kitchen,
the Water Commissioners' foreman. On November 11, 1878, City
Engineer Wm. Robinson resigned, and Thomas Tracy, P. L. S., was
appointed. John Carling, R. Lewis and J. R. Minhinnick were the
first Water Commissioners. In June, 1882, J. M. Cousins was
appointed, vice Muirhead, as shown in the municipal history.
The whole of the works, including a reservoir of over 6,000,000
gallons' capacity, about 31 miles of mains, 180 hydrants, valves, a
dam, pump house, machinery, road, etc., also about 1,000 services, was
completed and water turned on in January, 1879. Since that time
extensions have been made each year, including the London East
works, which were connected in 1885 on the amalgamation of London-
East with the city. In 1882, steam pumping machinery of a capacity
of 2,000,000 gallons (imperial) was put in, and has given the most
thorough satisfaction, a duty of 82,000,000 feet pounds per 100
pounds of coal consumed having been realized, according to the test of
George C. Robb, M. E. Considerable damage was done to the works
I
270 HISTORY OF THE
by the great flood of July, 1883, but the repairs were quickly and
thoroughly made, the supply being kept up by the steam pumping
machinery. In 1886 the reservoir was cleaned out, relined with
hydraulic cement concrete, improved facilities for emptying and clean-
ing added, and additional storage for the spring water provided at con-
siderable cost, and in August, 1887, Button's springs were purchased
for $2,500. The original works were designed by Wm. Eobinson, C. E.,
and carried out under the superintendence of T. H. Tracy, C. E., the
present City Engineer, who has had charge of the work since that time.
The present works comprise over 45 miles of mains, 250 hydrants with
valves, and about 5,000 services, which have been put in free to the
consumer to the extent of twenty feet inside the street line. The
offices of the department are located in the City Hall. The neighbor-
hood surrounding the water-works is one of the most beautiful in
Western Ontario. It is known under the name of Springbank, and
with the boats running on the river, thousands of people visit it week-
ly. The receipts of the department at the present time are between
$40,000 and $45,000 annually, and the running expenses from $10,000
to $12,000. The balance up to 1885 was not only expended on capital
account, but additional sums borrowed. In 1885, however, the de-
partment had a handsome balance on hand, and since then the show-
ing has been even better.
Analysis of Water. — To point out the difference between the
waters used by the people of ante- water- works days and the present
inhabitants, the following statement is given, founded on the report of
W. Saunders, chemist, on the constituent parts of water in and around
London, made to the Council. Water from the well at the corner of
Adelaide and North streets (the Mayor's residence) contained 25J
grains of solid matter ; from his own well on Dundas, between Waterloo
and Colborne, 29 J grains ; from Dr. Brown's well, Kent street, near
Talbot, 51 grains, and from Harvey's well, Talbot street north, 70
grains. The water at Coombs' springs yielded 16 J grains, while it
showed only 9 degrees of hardness, compared with 11 to 17 degrees for
the well waters named.
The Asylum wells water in 1871, as certified by A. T. Machattie,
contained 11.07 grains (east well) and 18.81 grains (west well) of
saline matter. The former showed 6.51 grains, and the latter 14.90
grains of carbonate of lime ; while carbonate of magnesia was repre-
sented by 4.56 and 3.91 grains respectively. The analyst stated that
" the only saline matters present in any appreciable quantity, are the
carbonates of lime and magnesia, which are, as usual, dissolved in
excess of carbonic acid. The waters are remarkably free from alkaline
chlorides and sulphates ; they contained no organic matter, either of
vegetable or animal origin, a fact which conclusively indicates the
absence of surface water or any contamination from sewage ; they are
perfectly colorless and transparent, and contain nothing in any way
prejudicial to health. The ' east' well being softer than the ' west ' is
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
277
so much the more suitable for ordinary domestic purposes ; but there
is nothing in either water to prevent its general use in the Asylum."
A Terrible Holiday. — The celebration of May 24th, the Queen's
birthday, has been observed at London since 1850, when Councillor
Labatt asked the Mayor to proclaim the day as a town holiday. For
years it was observed by the people in revelry and banqueting. The
barbarous barbecue, roasted ox, whisky and ale, being main features ;
but as men's intelligence developed, a good deal of the barbarian disap-
peared, and the day became one of quiet pleasure. Such was that of
1881 in its beginnings. All day long the loyal people of London
indulged in quiet pleasures ; some at home, some at Springbank, and
others, more fortunate, visiting friends in the country or in other cities
of Canada. The day was ordered for holiday making, the Princess
Victoria and Princess Louise carried hundreds down to Springbank
and back, and all went merry as marriage bells until evening, when
the murky sky gave notice to the merrymakers that the hour for return-
ing was at hand. At five o'clock the Victoria arrived at the picnic
grounds, bringing down many who had passed the day in the city.
Both decks were even then crowded. Xo sooner was the boat halted
than a greater crowd on the wharf leaped on board, and in a few
minutes about 800 men, women and children, were huddled together
in a space fit only for 100 persons. The captain and crew seemed as
contented as the excursionists ; all were anxious to be at home for
supper. So the boat cleared from the wharf and crept slowly up the
Thames. The swell of the waters sometimes leaped in on the lower
deck, but there was little fear in the hearts of the travellers until the
crowd surged to one side, when that side of the lower deck was sub-
merged to a depth of eight inches. The captain now became aware of
danger, and asked the people to be still ; but the warning was unheeded.
The boat had now reached the expansion of the river, about 1,300 feet
west of the cove bridge, and held its way one-fourth the width of the
river from the bank. Suddenly a volume of water swept over the
lower deck, and the boat turned over, leaving the deck floors almost
perpendicular, then the supports bent and broke, and in an instant
the celebrants were in the water, fighting for life, or crushed to death
in the wreck. The evidence of John T. Fryer before the coroner's
jury forms part of the official history of this tragedy. He states : —
" Was on the Victoria ; I saw her coming to Springbank ; I was on the
dock ; she came in bow first ; she appeared to be very much crowded ;
a number, myself among the rest, jumped over the bulwarks, and
gained the boat before the gang was lowered. I saw some of the
passengers get off — not many ; I saw a number getting on over the
gangway ; the vessel then swung around and came up to the dock
with the bow towards London ; she was so loaded then that I could not
get a seat ; my wife got a seat ; my wife got on over the bulwarks ;
when she got in, I handed my child to her ; my reason for getting
over the bulwarks was to secure a seat, as I saw the rush was so
278 HISTORY OF THE
great; there were eight in my party, all of whom got over the bul-
warks, except my father — he came over the gangway ; after the Victoria
came back to the dock the second time, she remained some five or ten
minutes there before she started for London ; I think some got on and
some got off the second time ; I heard some say that the captain said
he would not start until some of the people got off ; but very few got
off; the boat went towards Ward's hotel, but we did not stop there;
the boat appeared straight to me ; when approaching Woodland, we
passed the Forest City ; the people went to the south side to see it,
and that gave the boat a list in that direction ; immediately after pass-
ing the Forest City, I noticed the Princess Louise ; I said to those
near me it was strange the three steamers should all be at Springbank
at the same time ; after passing the Forest City, I saw the Princess
Louise coming around the bend approaching Woodland ; it appeared to
me that both boats were making to the wharf; as we got to Woodland
the people were pretty much to the south side ; it was here where the
vessel commenced to lurch ; just after that I stepped into the wheel-
house with my child in my arms ; after this one or two boys came up
to the captain and told him, ' We must get the people to go over to the
north side of the boat, as the boat is listing over to the south, and the
water is coming in on the deck below.' After this a deck hand (a
Frenchman) came up ; he told the captain that the people would not
move for him, and for him (the captain) to come down and use his
influence. The captain asked if the engineer had the pump or syphon
at work. The captain hurried around to myself and one or two others
to use our influence to try and get the people to trim the boat ; he
said he couldn't leave the wheel. One young girl in front of the wheel-
house asked the captain if there was any danger ; he said, 'If you don't
go over, I will run you ashore, and you will have to walk home.' Just
after he said this, the boat made a sudden lurch to the south, and then
rolled over to the north and went down, north bow first. When the
people found the boat lurching to the south they then moved over in
a hurry to the north, this causing her to lurch heavily to the north,
and went over apparently north bow first. When I was in the water
up to the neck, the connection to the steam boiler broke, and the steam
rushed by our faces. In getting on to the hull, I noticed the supports
had all been broken off clean with the deck." Nicholas Forkey, a
deck hand, gave similar evidence.
A thousand stories, relating to that evening on the river, have been
told ; but all, even if given here, could not portray the scene. The first
effort to save life was made by Henry Nickles and M. Reidy, of the
forest City Club, who took two women ashore, and then, undressing,
labored to save life so long as one appeared living in the water or the
wreck. Guy Parks and John Cousins remained in the club boat, and
took the first load of women ashore. Fitzpatrick, night baggageman at
the depot, rescued his wife, daughter and daughter's child.
The boat Princess Louise arrived soon after, but too late to rescue.
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX.
279
She was moored close to the wreck, and near the north bank, and
planks stretched from her deck to the shore. At about seven o'clock
that evening the bodies of the dead were brought on board and ranged
on the upper decks. So great was the number, that the bodies of
children and infants were placed over those of adults. At 10 o'clock
that night 153 bodies were recovered; later, more were found, and
next day the work of burial was commenced, the streets of London
leading to the cemeteries being devoted to funeral processions for the
remainder of the week.
The grant of $500 to the Mayor of London, to aid in defraying the
expenses of the care and maintenance of those who needed assistance,
in consequence of the wreck of the Victoria on the Thames, May 24,
1881, was made by the County Council, June 7.
The list of the 182 interments in the various cemeteries is as follows :
WOODLAND CEMETERY.
Short, James, 13, city.
Matthews, Annie, 23, London West.
Matthews, George William, 2, London
West.
Hayman, Henry, 37, London East.
Haynian, Mrs. H., 37 London East.
Hayman, William H., 2, London East.
Abey, Harry, 12, London East.
Kendrick, Maria E. , 24, city.
Major, Charles Edward, 12, city.
LeClaire, John, 15 
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